Trump hints at 'action' if Hamas doesn't return hostage bodies

The bodies of 13 deceased hostages are believed to still be in Gaza.

Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 10:52 AM EDT

U.S. officials -- including Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner -- traveled to Israel this week for high-level meetings, discussing the next steps in the delicate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire deal by withholding the bodies of the remaining 13 deceased hostages thought to have died during or after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas has said the return of the remaining bodies "may take some time" due to the destruction.

Oct 13, 2025, 7:53 PM EDT

Biden commends Trump for getting ceasefire deal 'over the finish line'

Former President Joe Biden commended President Donald Trump and his administration's work getting the ceasefire agreement "over the finish line."

"The road to this deal was not easy," Biden said on social media. "My Administration worked relentlessly to bring hostages home, get relief to Palestinian civilians, and end the war. I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line."

Biden also expressed his hope that the Middle East is on a path to enduring peace and "a future for Israelis and Palestinians alike with equal measures of peace, dignity, and safety."

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Oct 13, 2025, 5:05 PM EDT

4 coffins of deceased hostages taken to forensic center

Four coffins of deceased hostages have been taken to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Israel, according to the Israeli Police.

"Forensic Identification officers and volunteers from the Police Dental Identification Unit are prepared to carry out the identification alongside medical and forensic authorities," the Israeli Police spokesperson’s unit said in a statement.

A convoy transports the bodies of deceased hostages into southern Israel following the release by Hamas, Oct. 13, 2025.
Israel Police via AP

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Oct 13, 2025, 1:48 PM EDT

Egypt awards Trump highest state honor for 'contributions to promoting peace'

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has awarded the Nile Collar -- Egypt's highest state honor -- to President Donald Trump for “his significant contributions to promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and most recently, his pivotal role in ending the war in Gaza,” El-Sisi’s office said in a statement.

At Monday's peace summit, El-Sisi said the award is presented “in recognition of President Trump’s efforts” and is typically reserved for heads of state who provide “distinguished services to humanity.”

Oct 13, 2025, 1:36 PM EDT

Released hostage reunites with daughter after over 2 years

Omri Miran, one of the final 20 living hostages released from Gaza on Monday, was seen playing with one of his young daughters after more than two years apart.

Miran’s older daughter, Roni, is now 4 years old, while his younger daughter, Alma, is 2.

Released Israeli hostage, Omri Miran plays with his daughter, after being released as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Israel October 13, 2025.
Elad Malka/GPO via Reuters

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola