Palestinians celebrate return of prisoners freed by Israel

President Trump has arrived at the Egyptian resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh where he and other world leaders will attend the signing of the first phase of the peace agreement between Hamas and Israel. Earlier, President Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, saying the release of the living hostages held in Gaza for over two years marks the historic dawn of a new era in the Middle East. The released Palestinians prisoners have arrived in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, and earlier today the Israeli hostages were taken from Gaza to an Israeli military base.

We speak to our correspondents in Jerusalem and Washington, and we hear from Gazans and from some of the family members of Israeli hostages.

We also speak to psychologists who have worked with released hostages and with those who were attacked by Hamas two years ago.

Our colleague with BBC Verify explains what images show about the damage across Gaza,

Presenter: Rahul Tandon.

(Photo: A freed Palestinian is hugged by a relative after he was released from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, October 13, 2025. Credit: Ammar Awad/Reuters)