Breaking News: Hamas Starts Releasing Final Israeli Hostages in Historic Move – NPR

TEL AVIV – Marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, Hamas commenced the release of the last Israeli hostages detained in Gaza on Monday, signaling a significant step toward ending the prolonged two-year war in the region.

According to a military statement, Hamas initially transferred seven of the remaining 20 captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which then handed them over to Israeli forces. The release of the remaining 13 hostages was anticipated to follow shortly thereafter.

All the freed individuals are men, predominantly in their twenties and thirties, and are being transported by helicopter from southern Israel to medical facilities near Tel Aviv for evaluation and care.

The announcement sparked widespread jubilation across Israel. Tens of thousands congregated at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square-a site that has hosted vigils throughout the conflict-cheering enthusiastically and waving Israeli flags in celebration.

In addition to the living hostages, Hamas is obligated to return 28 bodies of deceased captives, though the group claims it has been unable to locate all of them. Meanwhile, Israel is preparing to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees as part of the truce agreement announced last week, with prisoner exchanges expected to commence later on Monday.

These rapid developments coincide with President Trump’s visit to Israel, where he has been a key advocate for the trump-confident-ceasefire-deal-netanyahu-meeting/” title=”Donald … Expresses Strong Confidence in … Deal During Meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu – Live US Politics Update”>ceasefire deal and is credited with helping bring it to fruition. During his visit, Trump is scheduled to meet briefly with families of the hostages before addressing the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem.

Following his time in Israel, Trump will travel to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt-the location where the ceasefire was negotiated-to participate in a formal signing ceremony.

Meanwhile, humanitarian aid is beginning to reach Gaza, where critical shortages of food, water, medicine, fuel, and shelter have persisted throughout the conflict. On Sunday, hundreds of aid trucks crossed into southern Gaza from Egypt, providing much-needed relief to the besieged population.

Ceasefire’s Crucial Trial

The exchange of hostages and prisoners represents the first significant test of the ceasefire, a key demand from both Israeli and Palestinian sides. Successfully completing this exchange could foster a more positive environment for addressing the complex challenges that lie ahead.

Nonetheless, substantial hurdles remain. Israeli forces continue to control approximately half of Gaza, with no clear timeline for a full withdrawal. The ceasefire also stipulates that Hamas must disarm and relinquish any role in Gaza’s governance, conditions the group has yet to publicly accept. Notably, Hamas police have already resumed patrols in Gaza’s streets, and no alternative Palestinian faction currently possesses the capacity to govern the territory.

The agreement envisions a temporary administration led by Palestinian technocrats, but these individuals have not been identified, and their authority remains uncertain.