Trump watches hostage release livestream aboard Air Force One on his way to Israel

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: President Donald Trump was seemingly glued to a livestream of Israeli hostages being freed from Gaza while flying to Israel aboard Air Force One.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a photo from inside Air Force One showing Trump watching the livestream. "History in the making," she captioned the shot, which quickly made the rounds on social media as the president’s plane made its way toward Tel Aviv for what’s expected to be a landmark diplomatic visit.

Trump’s schedule is tight. He’s expected to address Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, and meet the families of the freed hostages. According to the White House, he’ll wrap up his visit in Israel and depart for Egypt by 1.00 pm local time.

Hamas releases first group of hostages

On the ground, the first batch of Israeli hostages is finally being freed. Hamas released seven surviving hostages on Monday, October 13, marking the opening act of a ceasefire deal brokered with help from Trump’s administration.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the handover in a statement, saying the hostages were transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza before making their way across the border.

The seven returning hostages "crossed the border into the State of Israel a short while ago," the IDF said. "They are currently on their way to the initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will reunite with their families."

Another exchange is expected soon. Thirteen surviving hostages, along with 28 additional captives, are on the list. Of those, Israel says 26 are confirmed dead, while the fate of two others remains unclear.

Israel says 'struggle is not over'

The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the names of the freed, including Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, and Eitan Mor.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has been campaigning nonstop for the release of all captives, posted an emotional message on social media, the BBC reported.

"Welcome Home! After 738 agonising days in captivity, Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, and Eitan Mor are returning to us to the embrace of their families who worked tirelessly for their release, to their friends, and to an entire nation that believed and fought for this day to come," it said. 

But the statement also noted, "Our struggle is not over. It will not end until the last hostage is located and returned for proper burial. This is our moral obligation. Only then will the people of Israel be whole."

As part of the same agreement, Israel is also set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners later on Monday.

Iraqi prime minister says Trump is 'serious about achieving peace'

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani gave his two cents during an interview with CNBC, saying Donald Trump is "serious about achieving peace." His comments come as the world turns its eyes toward Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where more than 20 world leaders, including the POTUS, are gathering for a high-stakes peace summit.

Al-Sudani called the US-backed initiative "important" and expressed cautious optimism that this ceasefire could be more than just a brief pause in a bloody cycle. He said he hoped the truce would be a "sustainable and the beginning of a radical solution to this problem."

“"he Palestinian issue is the root of the problem in the Middle East. It is time to find solutions through dialogue and respect for international institutions and agreements,"Al-Sudani added.

Monday’s releases come after two years of brutal conflict sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed roughly 1,200 people and saw hundreds taken hostage.

Israel’s subsequent retaliation left more than 67,000 Palestinians dead, including thousands of civilians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.