Breakthrough Deal: Hamas to Release 20 Hostages as Israel Frees 2,000 Palestinians

 

Gaza, October 13, 2025 — Hamas is set to release around 20 Israeli hostages as part of a prisoner exchange deal involving nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons. The agreement marks a significant step toward a potential ceasefire mediated by international parties.

According to The Financial Times, the negotiations took place in Cairo over the past several weeks, with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations facilitating the talks. Officials from both sides confirmed that the exchange process will be carried out in phases, beginning later this week.

Diplomatic sources in Egypt stated that Israel agreed to release mostly women and teenage prisoners, while Hamas will hand over the hostages alive under international medical supervision.

The deal comes amid growing global pressure to end the prolonged conflict that has claimed thousands of civilian lives in Gaza. The United Nations welcomed the agreement, describing it as “a positive development that could pave the way for broader peace discussions.”

However, analysts caution that the exchange does not guarantee an end to the violence. “This is more of a humanitarian pause than a political solution,” Middle East analyst Ahmed Mansour told Reuters.

If the initial phase proceeds smoothly, further negotiations for a full ceasefire are expected to take place later this month in Doha.

Source:

• The Financial Times, “Hamas expected to release Israeli hostages,” published October 13, 2025.

• Reuters, “Hamas and Israel negotiate partial prisoner exchange,” October 2025.