Hope returns as Israel–Palestine swap prisoners

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OPINION

By Samrah Kasozi

There were emotional scenes across Israel and Palestine on Monday, October 13, 2025, as hundreds of families reunited after a major exchange of hostages and prisoners a significant step toward ending two years of war in Gaza.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations about one in every 33 people, or three percent of the pre-war population.

Among them are around 20,000 children, meaning one child was killed every hour over the past 24 months. Officials say the true death toll is likely much higher, as many remain missing or buried under rubble.

Under the deal, Hamas released all surviving Israeli hostages, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange, part of a US-led peace initiative, raised cautious hopes for reconciliation.

In Israel, families wept as freed hostages returned home. “My son is home! We waited so long,” cried one mother in Tel Aviv. In Gaza and the West Bank, crowds celebrated the return of prisoners, waving flags and chanting “freedom.”

The exchange marks the first phase of what US President Donald Trump called his “Gaza Peace Plan,” aimed at ending the conflict and rebuilding Gaza.

Just after the exchange, President Trump landed in Israel. In a speech to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, he called the moment “a historic dawn in a new Middle East.” He said, “Today we begin to turn pain into hope. The people of Israel and Palestine have shown the world that peace is possible.”

Later, Trump flew to Egypt to attend a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. More than 20 world leaders joined the meeting, including leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, who signed an agreement to support the ceasefire and make sure both sides keep their promises.

The new agreement also includes plans to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, rebuild damaged homes and hospitals, and slowly lift restrictions on the movement of goods and people. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said the deal was “a victory for diplomacy and for the people who have suffered too long.”

Despite the joy, many people warned that challenges remain. Gaza is badly damaged after two years of fighting, with many buildings destroyed and families displaced. Rebuilding will take time and money.

There are also big political questions that still need answers — such as the future of Jerusalem, whether Hamas will disarm, and if Palestine will one day become a fully independent state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the exchange but said Israel would continue to focus on its security.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the release of prisoners was “a long-awaited step toward justice” and urged both sides to keep working toward peace.

The United Nations praised the deal as “a step of humanity and hope,” calling on both sides to respect the ceasefire and avoid returning to violence.

For many families, this day was one they had been praying for. In Gaza, one young boy carried his father on his shoulders as people cheered around them. “Peace for all of us!” he shouted.

While the exchange does not end all the problems between Israel and Palestine, it has given people hope that peace could finally be possible. The world will now be watching closely to see if this historic moment leads to lasting change — or if old tensions will return.

The writer is a Foreign Policy Analyst and the Director of Al Kashf –Services