Global News Podcast Relatives of Israeli hostages prepare for their release
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Oct 13, 2025 
Join Jeremy Bowen, BBC's international editor, as he delves into the emotional atmosphere in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, where families await the release of Israeli hostages after two years. He highlights the U.S.-brokered prisoner exchange deal and its implications. Bowen also reports on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, addressing famine and the urgent need for aid. Meanwhile, discussions touch on the shifting power dynamics in Madagascar and the innovative use of nose temperature research as a stress indicator.
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Hostage Release And Prisoner Exchange
- Hostages Square in Tel Aviv filled with crowds awaiting the return of around 48 hostages, with about 20 believed alive after two years in Gaza.
- The US-brokered deal will exchange these releases for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of those who died.
US Influence Shaped The Deal
- Jeremy Bowen highlights Israel's heavy reliance on American power during the two-year war and the influence this gives the US in negotiations.
- He argues Donald Trump used that leverage to push through the hostage and ceasefire deal as US interests shifted.
Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza Persists
- Gaza remains desperate after two years of war, with famine and destruction widespread and aid essential to prevent people grabbing supplies.
- The UN and Israel have agreed to surge aid into Gaza but delivery and governance remain major challenges.