Families of Israeli hostages thank Trump in video for helping bring their loved ones home

WASHINGTON, DC: Just moments after announcing the phase one peace deal between Hamas and Israel, President Donald Trump shared a video showing families of hostages thanking him for helping secure their loved ones’ freedom from Hamas captivity.

The video, posted online by Trump, captured emotional scenes of families celebrating the breakthrough and expressing gratitude. Here’s what they said following the President’s announcement.

Hostage families thank Trump for efforts to bring loved ones home

“And today, President Trump has done it.” one family member says in the video shared by Trump. “He announced just now that our loved ones, the hostages, are coming home."

The speaker adds, “We will not stop fighting until we see the last of the 48 return to their family, those who were murdered in captivity buried in the Land of Israel, those who are still alive walking through the border and reuniting with their families.”

Standing before a banner displaying the faces of the remaining hostages, family members reflected on the painful reality that their loved ones have endured “two years in captivity.”

“Thank you, President Trump, for your courage,” another man says, standing in front of the banner. “Thank you to the Trump administration for doing everything you can to bring them home.”

Another video shows emotional celebrations among families reacting to Trump’s announcement. The clip captures a powerful moment during a speakerphone call where Trump personally told them that the hostages would be coming home on Monday. The families erupted in joy and tears as they heard the news.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum later shared a statement: “The forum welcomes the signing of an agreement meant to bring all the hostages home — the living, for rehabilitation among their families, and the fallen, for proper burial in their homeland. This is an important and significant step on the path to returning everyone, but our struggle is not over and will not end until the last hostage returns.”

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, shared an emotional message on X:

“Matan is coming home. He’s coming back to me, to Natalie and Shani, to Ilana, the love of his life, to all of you, to the country. These are the tears I prayed for.”

When Israeli hostages are expected to return

Israeli hostages by Monday, October 13, following the breakthrough in the peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.

“The big thing is hostages are going to be released probably, our time, would be, probably Monday,” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity during an interview conducted just hours after he announced the first phase of his 20-point Middle East peace plan.

Speaking about the 48 hostages believed to still be held in Gaza, many of whom are presumed dead, Trump described the dire conditions they face.

“They’re in a terrible situation,” he said. “They’re deep in the earth, and they’re being gotten and a lot of things are happening right now as we speak. So much is happening to get the hostages freed, and we think they’ll all be coming back on Monday.”

A senior White House official said the deal also includes a temporary pause in fighting across Gaza. The Israeli cabinet will vote on the agreement Thursday, and if approved, Israeli forces must begin withdrawing from designated areas of the Gaza Strip.

“The deal goes to the Israeli cabinet tomorrow,” the official said. “Once they vote yes, Israel has to withdraw to the line, which should take under 24 hours. Then the 72-hour clock begins, and Hamas will try to go earlier if possible. Our assessment is that hostages will begin getting released on Monday.”

Trump reveals phone call with Netanyahu after peace deal

During his interview with Sean Hannity, Trump revealed that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the announcement of the peace deal.

“He said, ‘I can’t believe it. Everybody’s liking me now,’” Trump recalled, referring to Netanyahu’s reaction.

“I told him, ‘Israel can’t fight the world, Bibi. They can’t fight the world,’” Trump added. “And he understands that very well.”

Looking ahead, Trump shared his vision for the Gaza Strip, saying it would be rebuilt with regional cooperation. “It’s going to be a place that reconstructs, and other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous wealth. They want to see that happen, and we’ll be involved in helping them make it successful and peaceful.”