Hostages to Be Freed as Trump Lands in Region to “Declare the War Over”

A major prisoner and hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel is set to unfold as former US President Donald Trump lands in Israel and Egypt for what he’s calling a breakthrough peace mission. The visit comes just days after he claimed credit for brokering last week’s ceasefire deal and declared that the “war is over.”

20 Living Hostages Expected to Be Released Today

According to Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, Hamas has agreed to hand over 20 surviving hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The militant group publicly confirmed the list of names and said it would transfer them from a meeting point in northern Gaza.

Israel has indicated these hostages will be received early Monday morning, with its military confirming that Red Cross teams are already en route.

This is part of a broader arrangement in which all 47 remaining hostages, both living and deceased are set to be accounted for. Those hostages were abducted during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which killed 1,219 people, most of them civilians.

Hamas is also reportedly preparing to hand over the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza conflict.

Israel to Release About 2,000 Palestinian Prisoners

In return, Israel is expected to free roughly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including:

• Around 250 security prisoners, some convicted of deadly attacks

• Nearly 1,700 people detained during the recent Gaza war

Hamas negotiators have reportedly pushed for seven senior Palestinian leaders to be included in the release. Israel had previously rejected at least one of those names, but negotiations were still underway late Sunday.

Trump’s “Victory Lap” and the Risks Ahead

Trump flew in with a high-powered delegation including:

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

• Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

• CIA Director John Ratcliffe

• Top US military officials

Speaking aboard Air Force One, he brushed aside concerns that the truce could collapse.
“I think it’s going to hold. People are tired of it. It’s been centuries,” he said. “The war is over. Okay?”

In Jerusalem, he is scheduled to meet families of hostages, address the Knesset, and promote his 20-point peace roadmap, unveiled in late September. He has claimed “guarantees” from both sides and regional partners for the rollout.

Massive Peace Summit to Follow in Egypt

After his Israel stop, Trump will head to Egypt, where he and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will host a summit of more than 20 world leaders.

Key points Trump hopes to cement include:

• Long-term ceasefire enforcement

• A new governing structure for Gaza, reportedly under his own leadership

• A multinational force replacing the IDF during a phased withdrawal

• Hamas’s disarmament still a major sticking point

He has even said he would be “proud” to visit Gaza himself, though no timeline has been offered.

Gaza Death Toll Still Soaring

While the ceasefire has paused active fighting, the humanitarian toll remains staggering. According to Gaza’s health ministry figures the United Nations considers credible at least 67,806 people have been killed in the territory since the start of the war. More than half of those killed are women and children. The data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

What Comes Next?

Trump’s team is attempting to frame this week as the start of a new era but several questions remain unanswered:

• Will Israel agree to a full withdrawal from Gaza?

• Can Hamas maintain internal control while disarming?

• Who will actually govern Gaza if Trump’s plan advances?

• What happens to bodies of deceased hostages still in Gaza?

• Will the multinational force gain buy-in from Arab states?

For now, families on both sides, Israeli and Palestinian are bracing for emotional reunions, painful returns, or the recovery of remains.

As negotiations unfold, the world will be watching not just for the release of hostages and prisoners, but for signs that this ceasefire can survive its first real test.

If you want a follow-up sidebar on South African or BRICS reaction, regional diplomacy, or historical context on past swaps, I can add that next, just let me know.

{Source: IOL}

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