In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a US-brokered ceasefire agreement has led to the release of 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the liberation of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails. The exchange, which took place on October 13, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the protracted conflict that has plagued the region for years. Among the released Palestinians, 135 will be deported abroad, while 14 will return to their homes in East Jerusalem. In return, Israel has committed to releasing over 2,000 Palestinian detainees. The deal, however, has not been without controversy. Reports emerged of Israeli forces raiding the homes of Palestinian prisoners, including Ahmed Ka’abneh, who has been imprisoned since 1997. Additionally, a Palestinian man was shot in the foot during a demonstration outside Ofer military prison. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the release of the hostages as a ‘historic event’ but emphasized that the military campaign is far from over. US President Donald Trump, en route to Israel, acknowledged Hamas’s rearming in Gaza, stating that the US had temporarily approved it. The disarmament of Hamas remains a contentious issue in the ceasefire negotiations, with no clear resolution in sight.