From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 13, 2025
Israel begins release of terror convicts, though bodies of hostages remain in Gaza
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleBuses carrying freed Palestinian security prisoners have begun leaving Ofer Prison, after the last of the living hostages are transferred to the IDF.
After reports that the prisoners would only be released once bodies of slain hostages are handed over by Hamas, an IDF spokeswoman tells The Times of Israel that it was decided the prisoners will go free following the living hostages’ return.
????Hamas'ın yaşayan tüm İsrailli rehineleri bırakmasının ardından İsrail hapishanelerindeki yaklaşık 2 bin Filistinli esirin özgür bırakılma süreci başladı
????İsrail'in Ofer Cezaevi'den Ramallah'ın Beytuna mahallesine, Nakab Cezaevi'nden de Gazze'ye doğru otobüsler yola çıktı pic.twitter.com/fxZFRz7umz
— The Cradle Turkiye (@cradleturkiye) October 13, 2025
A total of 250 terror convicts serving life terms are being freed today as part of the US-backed hostage deal, including 135 who will be deported abroad and 14 returning to their homes in East Jerusalem.
The rest are on buses headed to Ramallah, via Beitunia checkpoint.
Explosions can be heard from across the West Bank security barrier as IDF troops fire tear gas to disperse Palestinians gathered at the checkpoint.
Meanwhile, 1,718 Gazan detainees are being released back into the Strip from southern Israel’s Ketziot Prison, according to Palestinian sources.
The bodies of most of the additional 28 hostages are expected to be transferred to Israel later today.
The Times of Israel Community.