Red cross vehicles left Gaza City on Monday (October 13) after Hamas handed over the first group of the last surviving Israeli hostages seized in the October 7 attack.

The remaining 13 confirmed living hostages, along with the bodies of 26 dead hostages and another two whose fate is unknown, are also expected to be released on Monday.

Almost 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners are also expected to be released.

The releases are a key step in ending two years of devastating conflict in Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal pushed by Donald Trump.

Our chief international correspondent Bel Trew reports:

There were cheers from the crowds when it was announced on stage that Donald Trump’s plane Air Force One is crossing over Hostages Square and landing at Ben Gurion Airport.

Most of the families of the hostages and captives credit Trump with getting this final deal over the line, and have spent the last two years protesting in rallies begging Benjamin Netanyahu to sign an agreement to bring them home.

Tel Aviv is adorned with huge posters thanking Trump for his work to secure the ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer has said he won't "get into a 'he said, she said'" following the row over the UK's role in Middle East peace talks.

It comes after Israel - and the US ambassador to the nation - rejected Bridget Phillipson's assertion that Britain played a "key role behind the scenes" in securing the Gaza ceasefire.

Mike Huckabee, who was part of the US President's negotiating team for the peace deal, said Ms Phillipson is "delusional", adding that she can "thank Donald Trump any time".

Asked about the remarks, Mr Falconer told Sky News: "I've been absolutely clear on the very, very important role that I think President Trump and his team, including special envoy Witkoff played in these negotiations. I see that Special Envoy Witkoff has called out the UK's vital role in this, which is a generous and welcome statement. I don't think it's at all out of keeping with what the education secretary said yesterday, so I'm not really going to get into a 'he said, she said' about this."

It came after Steve Witkoff, posting to X, came to the UK's defence, saying: "I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel. In particular, I want to recognise the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell."

Civil authorities in the Gaza Strip have said there are believed to be around 9,500 Palestinians currently missing, Wafa news agency reported.

It comes as rescuers begin sifting through the rubble in areas of the strip which were hard to reach due to Israel’s invasion and bombardment of the strip.

Hundreds of bodies have been recovered from the rubble since the ceasefire came into effect on Friday morning, medics and emergency workers in the strip say.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer said today is a "truly historic day", saying Britain is "incredibly grateful" for the efforts of Donald Trump, as well as Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.

"This is a truly historic day", he said. "The scenes rolling on Sky at the moment are incredibly moving, I think, both of the Israeli hostage families who I've met many times in the year and a bit I've been a minister, but also those Palestinians who will be breathing just sigh of relief that the conflict has stopped."

He added: "It is a huge achievement by President Trump, his team, by the other mediators that your report referred to, that's Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts."

Donald Trump has touched down in Israel, where he is set to receive a hero’s welcome as he addresses the Israeli Knesset.

His visit comes as a tense hostage, prisoner and detainee exchange takes place between Israel and Hamas is carried out around the southern border of Gaza.

He will be awarded Israel’s highest civilian honour later this year, Israel's President Isaac Herzog has said.

The red carpet has been rolled out, as Israel prepares to thank Trump for his help in securing a hostage and ceasefire deal.