Trump's peace plan: 20 hostages on the way to Israel!

Trump's peace plan: 20 hostages on the way to Israel!

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 13, 2025, brokered by US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan. Under this plan, Hamas is expected to release 20 living Israeli hostages kidnapped in an attack on October 7, 2023 by Monday morning (local time). In this massacre, 1,200 people died and around 250 were kidnapped. The exchange comes as part of an agreement that includes the release of about 250 long-term Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 war detainees. These measures mark the end of the first phase of the agreement and are part of a broader agreement between the parties to the conflict.

The hostages, who are now being brought to Israel to be cared for in hospitals, are a key concern of the Israeli government. Norbert Röttgen, CDU politician, expressed optimism about the implementation of the plan because he is convinced that Hamas is militarily weakened. He emphasizes that the return of all hostages is seen as a key goal for Israel. Röttgen also attaches great importance to the need for an international peacekeeping force for reconstruction and the security situation in Gaza.

Humanitarian aid and infrastructure

Humanitarian aid will also be expanded as part of the ceasefire. The day before, over 650 trucks carrying relief supplies and, for the first time, fuel entered the Gaza Strip via Israeli border crossings. This shipment could keep 20 health facilities in Gaza City running for about a week. Supporters of UNRWA report significant improvements in the framework conditions for humanitarian work, so that even hard-to-reach areas can now be reached.

Still, there are concerns about the sustainability of such moves. Claudia Baumgart-Ochse, peace researcher, describes the ceasefire as a “negative peace” and emphasizes that a lasting peace with social justice and stable living conditions is still a long way off. It is also pointed out that both societies are deeply traumatized and that rebuilding trust is necessary in the long term.

Political developments in Austria

As the situation in the Middle East develops, there is also internal friction in Austrian politics. NEOS MP Stephanie Krisper resigned from her National Council mandate to criticize coalition compromises. The Tyrolean SPÖ leader Georg Dornauer was expelled from the party because he violated the coalition agreement with the ÖVP. Dornauer had previously demanded that Tiwag's excess profits of 280 million euros be paid back to the population. This political turbulence shows that conflicts and disagreements also exist at the national level.

Most recently, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN), announced that he would resign by the end of the year for personal reasons. At the same time, a DSN employee of Egyptian origin was exposed as a suspected mole, raising questions about the circumstances of his resignation.

Overall, the situation in the region is becoming more complex as international stabilization efforts continue.