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Hours after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the Gaza peace deal, US President Donald Trump on Thursday spoke with the families of Israeli hostages. In the call, whose video was shared by the White House, Trump assured that the hostages still held in Gaza would be released on Monday.
“The hostages will come back, they’re all coming back on Monday," he told the families. The video shared by the White House showed the families of the hostages eagerly listening to the phone call and rejoicing in the news.
One person present during the call was seen telling Trump that he has the “best crowd in the world”; others could be seen shouting “thank you" and “you did it". “Mr President, we believe in you. We know you’ve done so much for us since you became the President, even before that," one of them could be seen telling the American president.
All hostages are returning home. 💛
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 9, 2025
pic.twitter.com/yQin9H0Fyi
“…And we trust you fulfilled the mission, until every hostage, every 48 of the hostages is home. Thank you so much. Blessed be the peacemakers. God bless you, Mr President, and God bless America," he added. Trump could be heard responding, “Thank you so much, everybody.” “You just take care of yourselves. The hostages will come back. They’re all coming back on Monday," Trump could be heard saying on the phone, amid a loud cheer by the families of the hostages.
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More ShortsIsrael rejoices in hostage release
In a separate video, families of the hostages could be seen acknowledging Trump’s assurance on the hostage release. “We are the families of hostages who have come here to Washington, DC, this week to mark the October 7 attack against our people, when our loved ones were captured by Hamas terrorists," one of them said.
“Yesterday, we gathered here with the Trump administration, and today, President Trump has done it. He announced just now that our loved ones, the hostages, are coming home," he added.
“Thank you, President Trump, for your courage. Thank you, the Trump administration, for doing everything you can to bring them home," another family member said. Apart from this, the families of hostages released a joint statment, expressing “profound gratitude to President Trump and his team for the leadership and determination that led to this historic breakthrough".
“The Israeli government must convene immediately to approve the agreement. Any delay could exact a heavy toll on the hostages and soldiers," the statement read.
“There are 48 hostages held by Hamas. Our moral and national obligation is to bring them all home, both the living and the deceased," it added. “Their return is essential to the healing and recovery of Israeli society as a whole. We will not rest until the last hostage comes home," the statement mentioned.
Celebrations take over Gaza as well
Joyous scenes were also reported on the streets of Khan Younis as Gaza residents celebrated the agreement between Hamas and Israel in the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan. According to the celebratory videos obtained by Reuters, a small crowd can be seen singing, dancing and cheering over the latest announcement.
As per the report, children were seen in the crowd clapping along. At one point, music was being blasted out of a speaker. It’s still the early hours of the morning in Gaza, and with little internet connection in the besieged strip, many people there are still not aware of the agreement, journalists in Gaza told CNN.
The IDF welcomes the signing of the agreement for the return of the hostages, which was signed overnight.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 9, 2025
During a situational assessment held overnight, the Chief of the General Staff instructed all forces, both on the front lines and in the rear areas, to prepare strong…
However, they maintained that the bombardment in the coastal enclave is continuing, especially in Gaza City. In a separate statement on the matter, the Israel Defence Force has also welcomed the agreement on the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
“The IDF welcomes the signing of the agreement for the return of the hostages, which was signed overnight,” the Israeli military said in the statement. They maintained that Israel forces in the region will continue to maintain strong defences in the region until further instructions.
“At the same time, the Chief of the General Staff instructed to prepare to lead the operation for the hostages’ return, which is expected to be conducted with sensitivity and professionalism. The IDF will continue to act to achieve the objectives of the war and to defend the citizens of the State of Israel on all fronts,” the statement further reads.
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