Gaza Hostage Release Imminent as Peace ceremony set for Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt – A fragile but meaningful step toward ending the Gaza conflict is expected tomorrow as a peace ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh brings together leaders from over 20 nations to mark the anticipated start of a hostage release and a stable ceasefire.The agreement, brokered in recent weeks, aims to secure the freedom of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and establish a framework for sustained humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The ceremony comes after months of devastating conflict and international pressure for a resolution. The agreement impacts the lives of families awaiting the return of loved ones, the Palestinian population facing a humanitarian crisis, and regional stability threatened by ongoing violence. While details remain sensitive, the prosperous implementation of this plan represents a critical turning point in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Heads of state and government confirmed to attend include UN Secretary General Guterres, French President Macron, British Prime Minister Starmer, EU Council President Costa, Turkish President Erdogan, Spain’s Prime Minister Sánchez, Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Pakistani Prime Minister sharif, and former U.S. President Trump. German CDU leader Friedrich Merz will also be present, with a German government spokesperson stating Germany will be “committed to implementing the peace plan – initially primarily to ensure compliance with a stable ceasefire and humanitarian aid.”
Notably, Hamas will not be directly represented at the ceremony, according to reports from the german press agency citing sources within the organization.
Prior to the ceremony, Trump is scheduled to address the Israeli parliament and meet with families of the hostages.The agreement builds upon ongoing negotiations and acknowledges complex dynamics, such as the case of Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian figure sentenced to multiple life sentences by Israel for involvement in attacks, but viewed by many Palestinians as a potential leader for a future state. Barghouti is not currently listed among the detainees published by Israel.
Further details on the current status of the Gaza peace plan are available here. Additional reporting on Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war can be found here.
This report was originally aired on Deutschlandfunk on October 12th, 2025.
