On Monday, Hamas released the first seven of the 20 surviving Israeli hostages to representatives of the Red Cross in Gaza, eliciting joyous celebrations in Tel Aviv, where a large crowd had gathered to support the families of the hostages.
This development follows a ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump after two years of conflict, which stipulates that Hamas will release all remaining hostages on Monday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
As these releases unfolded, Trump was en route to the region for a peace summit, having declared the war to be “over.”
According to the Israeli military and security services, “Based on information from the Red Cross, seven hostages have been handed over and are en route to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip.” They further stated, “The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later.”
In Tel Aviv, hundreds gathered in Hostages Square, erupting in joy upon hearing the news of the initial releases. Among them, Noga expressed her mixed emotions to AFP, stating, “I’m torn between emotion and sadness for those who won’t be coming back.”
On October 7, 2023, militants took 251 hostages during an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in 1,219 deaths, the majority of whom were civilians. Of the hostages, all but 47 had been released in earlier truces, leaving the families of those still in captivity enduring constant anguish and worry.
In Gaza, the ceasefire has provided some relief. However, much of the territory lies in ruins, prolonging the road to recovery. “I returned to Sheikh Radwan with my heart trembling,” recounted 38-year-old Fatima Salem to AFP after returning to her neighbourhood in Gaza City. “My eyes kept searching for landmarks I had lost — nothing looked the same; even the neighbours’ houses were gone. Despite the exhaustion and fear, I felt I was returning to my safe place. I missed the smell of my home, even if it’s now just rubble. We will pitch a tent next to it and wait for reconstruction.”
‘The War is Over. Okay?’
Trump’s swift visit to Israel and Egypt aims to celebrate his role in facilitating last week’s ceasefire and hostage release agreement. However, it comes at a delicate moment as Israel and Hamas negotiate the next steps.
Under the proposed roadmap from the US president, once the Palestinian militants hand over the remaining hostages, Israel will begin releasing approximately 2,000 detainees in return. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office indicated that Israel anticipates all 20 surviving hostages to be released to the Red Cross “early Monday morning.”
While addressing reporters aboard Air Force One at the beginning of this “very special” visit, Trump dismissed concerns regarding the durability of the ceasefire, stating, “I think it’s going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It’s been centuries.” He added emphatically, “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?”
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In Israel, Trump is scheduled to meet with the families of hostages before delivering a speech to the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem.
Final Arrangements
His trip also serves as a victory lap for the Gaza agreement he helped broker, which included a 20-point peace plan announced in late September. “Everybody’s very excited about this moment in time,” Trump remarked earlier as he prepared to board the plane at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.
Negotiators were still finalising the last details for the exchanges late on Sunday, with two Hamas sources informing AFP that the group was insisting Israel include seven senior Palestinian leaders on the list for release. Israel has previously rejected at least one of those names. However, the sources indicated that the group and its allies had “completed all preparations” for handing over all living hostages to Israel.
Israel does not anticipate the return of all deceased hostages on Monday. Under the plan, Hamas is to deliver the remaining 47 hostages, as well as the remains of a soldier killed during the 2014 Gaza war.
Peace Summit
Following his visit to Israel, Trump will proceed to Egypt, where he and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-host a summit attended by over 20 world leaders to support his plan for concluding the Gaza conflict and promoting peace in the Middle East.
Trump aims to clarify the uncertainties surrounding the next phases of the peace plan, particularly concerning Hamas’s refusal to disarm and Israel’s lack of commitment to a complete withdrawal from the devastated region. He asserted that he had “guarantees” from both parties and other key regional players regarding the initial phase of the deal and its future stages.
Trump also expressed his willingness to visit Gaza itself, although he did not specify when this challenging security undertaking might occur. He outlined that a new governing body for the ravaged Gaza, which he would lead under his plan, would be established “very quickly.”
As Israel undertakes a partial withdrawal from Gaza, a multi-national force coordinated by a US-led command centre in Israel will replace its presence.
According to figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has resulted in at least 67,806 deaths. The United Nations considers these figures credible, though they do not differentiate between civilians and combatants, indicating that over half of the deceased are women and children.
AFP
