After more than two years in captivity, the last living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas under the first phase of a ceasefire agreement.
"The release of hostages is a moment of profound relief. After over two years of suffering, today, families are finally reunited. For the Jewish people, this is a moment that holds two truths at once – a grief for what cannot be restored, and a fragile light of what might still be repaired,” said Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“As the hostages are returned under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, Canada extends its gratitude to the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye for their tireless efforts to make this vital progress possible.”
Tears of joy. pic.twitter.com/vb7tGZqAY9
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 13, 2025
In total, 20 living hostages were released to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and reunited with their families today.
“Two years after Hamas’ sadistic attack on innocent Israelis, the families of twenty hostages are finally able to hug their loved ones,” said Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition.
“This peace provides an opportunity for the Hamas-launched bloodshed to finally end, which has been a tragic reality for too long.”
The release of the hostages came on the same day President Trump addressed the Knesset legislative building in Israel.
“Today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live, god willing, in peace for all eternity,” Trump said during his speech.
The American president then made his way to Egypt for a Gaza peace summit, which Prime Minister Carney is also attending.
“Canada commends President Trump's essential leadership in advancing a comprehensive peace plan. It is vital that the parties continue to engage constructively to achieve a sustainable and lasting peace agreement, as stipulated in the US plan,” added Carney.
“This includes establishing transitional governance for Gaza and pursuing a permanent political solution that ensures peaceful coexistence for Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas must disarm and play no role in the future governance of a demilitarised Palestinian state.”
In Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt at this historic Peace Summit, meeting with international leaders to move us closer to a lasting, just, and sustainable peace for the Middle East.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 13, 2025
This is a moment of hope for Israelis, for Palestinians, and for the world. pic.twitter.com/Cf1gGbABt0
Carney added that today’s news of the hostages being released is a turning point toward lasting peace.
“We call on all parties to continue implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement, including maintaining the withdrawal of Israeli troops and allowing sustained humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza without delay,” he added.
On Sept. 21, the federal government announced its official recognition of the State of Palestine.
“Since October 2023, Canada has committed over $400 million in humanitarian and development assistance to address the crises in Palestine,” explained Carney.
“We continue to support the sustained, large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid and are intensifying coordination with international partners to build a just and lasting peace in the Middle East – a peace that can only be guaranteed through a two-state solution."
Thumbnail photo courtesy of the IDF/X
