NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
After two years of brutal war, 20 Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners were swapped as the American-led ceasefire in Gaza held. It was a day of hope and relief for many, tinged with apprehension of what lies ahead. President Trump received a hero's welcome in Israel and later led a peace conference in Egypt. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen reports.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who received a "hero's welcome" in Israel over the weekend?
- Where did Israelis gather to await news of freed hostages?
- How many Israeli hostages were freed as part of the deal? How many captive Palestinians were freed?
- What did Palestinian captives say about their time in detention in Israel?
- Why did things not all go to plan, according to correspondent Leila Molana-Allen?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- In this segment, Leila Molana-Allen says, "After the hostage release, what comes next is far more complicated." What do you think she means? What complications do you think will be most difficult to resolve to maintain peace in Gaza?
- Do you think this deal represents potential for greater changes across the Middle East? Why or why not?
Media literacy: Who do you think should have been interviewed for this segment that wasn't? What do you want to learn to better understand the future of the deal between Israel and Hamas?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Students can read about the 20 Israeli hostages who were released here: "These are the living hostages released by Hamas under ceasefire deal"
Released hostage Evyatar David, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, reacts upon arrival at the site of Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
And learn more about the deal and prisoner exchange here: "What to know as Israel and Hamas exchange hostages and prisoners and Trump visits the Middle East"
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. REUTERS/Ammar Awad TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
After reading both articles, discuss — what surprises you most about the captive exchange and the proposed future deal?
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