Trump says Hamas may release 20 hostages ‘a little bit early’ following peace deal

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Sunday, October 12, that Hamas may release the 20 hostages it is holding “a little bit early” following a peace deal.

Trump made the statement while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the Middle East, after being asked about the hostages and when they might be released.

Trump praises Gaza peace deal, calls hostage rescue ‘amazing’

The president said, “So, they have the hostages, I understand all 20, and we may get them out a little bit early. Getting them was amazing, actually, because we were involved, and they were in places you don’t want to know about.”

Trump’s comments come as Hamas faces a deadline to return all remaining hostages to Israel after a peace deal that ended the two-year-long Israel-Hamas war. The peace agreement, which was brokered by the president, sparked celebrations across a region plagued by violence since the Hamas terror attacks on Israel in 2023. 

Furthermore, Trump described the peace agreement as historic, saying it was the first time in 3,000 years that Jews, Muslims, and Arab nations were “dancing in the streets.”

Trump also said the deal had unified countries that were once bitter enemies, noting that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other regional powers were “all into this deal.”

Trump declares Israel-Hamas war over, vows quick Gaza rebuilding

Trump was asked about the war, and the president declared that the conflict had come to an end. “The war is over,” Trump claimed. He expressed confidence that the ceasefire would hold and said people were “tired” of centuries of conflict.

Trump said, “Everybody knows their place,” adding that peace “is going to be great for everybody.” The president added that rebuilding Gaza would begin quickly but cautioned that the region resembled a “demolition site.”

He said reconstruction would start with clearing unstable structures and restoring basic services before long-term redevelopment begins.

Furthermore, Trump added that a new governing body known as the “Board of Peace” would be formed soon, consisting of international leaders. Trump mentioned Tony Blair as a potential participant but said he wanted to ensure the former British prime minister would be an “acceptable choice.”

Trump also acknowledged that Hamas had started forming a local police force and said the US granted temporary approval for it to help maintain order.

He estimated that Hamas had lost “probably 60,000 people” in the conflict and said ensuring safety as civilians return was now a priority.

Trump also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “the right person at this time” and revealed that Netanyahu nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.