The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in effect as both sides begin the first stage of a large-scale hostage and prisoner exchange deal brokered under President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
On Monday morning, Hamas began releasing Israeli hostages who are being reunited with their families. Israeli officials confirmed that 48 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, 20 of whom are thought to be alive. In return, Israel is expected to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 detained since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack.
The ceasefire took effect at noon on Friday, leading to Israel’s military pullback to a pre-approved line within Gaza. The truce has allowed humanitarian aid to flow into the territory and thousands of displaced Palestinians to begin returning to northern Gaza, where entire neighborhoods lie in ruins.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Monday that seven hostages were transferred to the Red Cross in Gaza as part of the first group of releases. “The IDF is prepared to absorb additional abductees who will be transferred to the Red Cross later,” the military said in a statement.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, hundreds of Israelis gathered before dawn waving national flags and singing as they awaited the return of their loved ones. The atmosphere was one of both relief and anxious anticipation.
The first set of hostages was expected to be released around 8 a.m. local time, with another group to follow around 10 a.m. Israel’s Sheba Medical Center outside Tel Aviv has prepared to receive those freed for medical evaluation and family reunions.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed confidence that the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan will be fully implemented. He also confirmed that Egypt is prepared to deploy troops within “specific parameters” to help stabilize the region and support international peacekeeping efforts.
“We are confident that without addressing the Palestinian cause and their legitimate aspirations for statehood, there can be no lasting peace or stability in the region,” Abdelatty said in an interview with Face the Nation.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Palestinians have begun their trek northward, returning to homes devastated by months of warfare. Many expressed a mix of relief and uncertainty about what comes next.
“There wasn’t much joy, but the ceasefire somewhat eased the pain of death and bloodshed,” one returnee said.
As the ceasefire holds, global leaders have called the move a “critical test” of both sides’ commitment to peace. Observers note that while the exchange marks progress, the broader question of Palestinian statehood remains unresolved.
Names of first seven Israeli hostages released.
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the seven freed hostages are:
- Eitan Mor
- Gali Berman
- Ziv Berman
- Omri Miran
- Alon Ohel
- Guy Gilboa-Dalal
- Matan Angrest.
The Israeli foreign ministry shared their names and photos on social media with the message: “Welcome home.”
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