By Obinna Uballa
Hamas on Monday began releasing Israeli hostages under a landmark ceasefire agreement brokered by United States President Donald Trump, marking what many hope will be the end of the devastating two-year Gaza war, AFP reported.
According to the Israeli military and security service, the first seven of 20 surviving hostages were handed over to Red Cross representatives in Gaza and are being transferred to Israeli forces.
“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 statement read, adding that the Israeli military “is prepared to receive additional hostages expected to be transferred later on.”
The development triggered scenes of jubilation in Tel Aviv, where hundreds gathered at Hostages Square to celebrate.
“I’m torn between emotion and sadness for those who won’t be coming back,” said Noga, a relative of one of the freed captives.
Under the deal, Hamas is expected to free all 20 remaining hostages in exchange for the release of about 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel. The International Committee of the Red Cross is coordinating the transfers.
Trump declares war ‘over’
The handover coincided with President Trump’s arrival in the Middle East for a peace summit. Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Israel, Trump declared the conflict “over,” saying both sides were “tired of it.”
“I think it’s going to hold. It’s been centuries,” he told reporters. “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?”
Trump is expected to meet families of the hostages before addressing the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem. He will later co-host a peace summit in Egypt with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, bringing together more than 20 world leaders to endorse his Gaza peace plan.
Road to peace
The Trump administration’s 20-point roadmap, unveiled in late September, includes phased prisoner swaps, partial Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza, and the creation of a multinational stabilisation force led by the United States.
The plan also envisions the establishment of a new governing authority for Gaza, to be headed by Trump himself under a US-led coordination mechanism.
Despite lingering tensions, both Israel and Hamas have signalled readiness to implement the first phase of the deal. Two Hamas officials confirmed that the group had “completed all preparations” to hand over all living hostages, though negotiations continue over the inclusion of seven senior Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s release list.
Israel, however, does not expect all the remains of dead hostages to be returned immediately.
Among the Palestinian detainees set for release are about 250 convicted security prisoners, while roughly 1,700 were arrested during the course of the Gaza war.
Aftermath of destruction
In Gaza, the ceasefire has brought a fragile sense of relief after months of relentless bombardment that left much of the territory in ruins.
“I returned to Sheikh Radwan with my heart trembling,” said Fatima Salem, a 38-year-old resident of Gaza City, according to AFP. “Nothing looked the same, even my neighbours’ houses were gone. Still, I missed the smell of my home, even if it’s now just rubble. We’ll pitch a tent next to it and wait for reconstruction.”
According to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, considered credible by the United Nations, Israel’s campaign in Gaza killed at least 67,806 people, more than half of them women and children.
