Hamas on Monday released 20 living Israeli hostages to the
country’s defence forces in Gaza under a ceasefire agreement brokered by United
States President Donald Trump.
On October 9, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of
a ceasefire plan that will see the release of all hostages and a withdrawal of
Israeli troops to an agreed line in Gaza.
The release sparked scenes of jubilation in Tel Aviv’s
Hostages Square, where hundreds of people had gathered to support the families
of those in captivity.
“According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven
hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF
and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli military said.
The army added that it was “prepared to receive additional
hostages who are expected to be transferred later in the day”.
The BBC is now reporting that all living Israeli hostages
have been released.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants abducted 251 people in
an unprecedented attack on Israel that left over 1,200 civilians dead.
All but 47 of the hostages had been released in earlier
truces, leaving the families of those still missing in constant anguish.
In Gaza, the ceasefire brought brief relief to residents
after two years of relentless bombardment.
“I returned to Sheikh Radwan with my heart trembling,” said
Fatima Salem, a 38-year-old Gaza resident.
“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 like I was coming back to my safe place.”
Under the US-brokered deal, Israel is expected to release
about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all surviving hostages.
Trump, who declared the war “over”, is visiting Israel and
Egypt to celebrate what he called a “very special” breakthrough in Middle East
peace efforts.
“I think it’s going to hold. I think people are tired of it.
It’s been centuries,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.
“The war is over. Okay? You understand that?”
In Jerusalem, the US president is expected to meet families
of the freed hostages before addressing the Israeli parliament.
Trump’s itinerary includes a stop in Egypt, where he and
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-host a summit of more than 20 world
leaders to endorse the ceasefire and discuss the next phase of the peace plan.
The roadmap proposes a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
to be followed by a multinational peacekeeping force coordinated through a
US-led command centre.
Trump said he had received “guarantees” from Israel and
Hamas on compliance with the first phase of the agreement.
He also hinted that he might visit Gaza in the near future,
saying he would be “proud” to go there when conditions permit.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 67,806 people
have been killed since the Israeli occupation in 2023 — figures the United
Nations has deemed credible.
The Israeli army confirmed that the first tranche of seven
released hostages — including twin brothers Ziv and Gali Berman — have returned
home safely.
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