Tel Aviv / Gaza / Washington: In a dramatic development Monday morning, Hamas released the final 20 Israeli hostages confirmed alive, as part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, marking a major step toward ending the two-year Gaza war.
The Israeli military confirmed that all living hostages had been received by its forces after being transported by the Red Cross from Gaza, triggering emotional scenes of reunion in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square.” Thousands of people waiting there wept, cheered, embraced, and applauded as families returned.
In return, Israel began releasing Palestinian detainees and prisoners as stipulated under the agreement. Many of the freed Palestinians were transported back to the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, their heads shaved and their appearance showing signs of undernourishment and hardship.
A Moment of Relief — and of Tension
The hostage release was a central element of the first phase of a broader accord reached last week in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, involving mediators from the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The deal calls for further steps toward Gaza’s governance, reconstruction, demilitarization, and an eventual political settlement.
Upon his arrival in Israel, President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, declaring that the war was over and calling the moment the “historic dawn of a new Middle East.” He urged all sides to turn military success into political and humanitarian gains.
Trump was greeted with a near-unanimous standing ovation in the Knesset, and Knesset speaker Amir Ohana later said Israel would nominate him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. However, the event was not without commotion: a left-wing Israeli parliamentarian protested by displaying a “Recognize Palestine” sign and was later removed by security officials.
Challenges Ahead
While the exchange marks a breakthrough, the road to a sustainable peace remains treacherous. The terms of Gaza’s future governance, security arrangements, and whether Hamas will disarm are all unresolved. Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, has so far resisted full disarmament absent broader political guarantees.
The Trump plan, which spans 20 points, envisages that a transitional body under international oversight will govern Gaza while security is maintained by an international force. But critics caution that ambiguities in expectations, timelines, and responsibilities could stoke renewed conflict.
Israel’s own withdrawal from parts of Gaza is incomplete, and Netanyahu has voiced reservations about handing control to the Palestinian Authority or limiting Israel’s security latitude. The fate of Hamas’ military wings and how to integrate or neutralize them remains a point of sharp contention.
There is also the matter of bodies of deceased hostages still in Gaza—28 have not yet been returned. A multinational task force has been formed to search for them and sift through the rubble to determine their locations.
While humanitarian aid is being permitted again, U.N. agencies and aid organizations continue to call for unfettered access to Gaza to address the catastrophic situation civilians endure.
Regional and International Reactions
Leaders worldwide commemorated the exchange as an opportunity for peace. Several expressed support for the U.S. plan, while urging caution and emphasizing the need for lasting solutions. The Palestinian Authority has offered to assist in implementing ceasefire consolidation, reconstruction, and governance, though its role remains challenged by Hamas’ power in Gaza.
Critics of the deal warn that unless milestones are enforced and trust is built incrementally, the fragile truce could collapse. Some regional players are cautious, seeing the balance of power as still uncertain.
Human Faces of the Conflict
For the families of the 20 freed hostages, the day brought unimaginable relief: after years of uncertainty, tearful reunions, embraces, and cries of joy. Many hostages were transferred to hospitals upon arrival in Israel, to assess their health after prolonged captivity with scarce food, water, and medical care.
On the Palestinian side, freed detainees arrived under difficult conditions: weakened by imprisonment and displacement, faded and gaunt in appearance. Among the freed were detainees held under suspicion of serious offenses, including terrorism convictions.
Behind the headlines are the thousands of ordinary Gaza residents whose homes have been destroyed, families displaced, and infrastructure ruined. Reconstruction, humanitarian relief, and restoring essential services will pose a monumental challenge in the coming months.
What Comes Next
Monday’s exchange is only Phase 1 of what Trump envisions as a comprehensive process. Key next steps include:
- Security and Disarmament: Hamas is called upon to disarm or convert its military capacities. Enforcing this is likely fraught, given its central role in Gaza’s power structure.
- Israeli Military Withdrawal: Israel must pull back from the rest of Gaza to lines agreed upon in the deal. The scope, pace, and monitoring of this withdrawal remain under negotiation.
- Gaza Governance Transition: A technocratic or international transitional body is envisaged to oversee Gaza, eventually shifting toward Palestinian administrative control under international supervision.
- Reconstruction & Humanitarian Aid: Massive reconstruction of people’s homes, hospitals, water, electricity, and public services will require billions in funding, coordination, and security for aid workers.
- Political Settlement: The ultimate goal is a negotiated resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including statehood, borders, and rights — but reaching that will require overcoming deep distrust on all sides.
Many observers stress that implementation will be the true test. A fragile halt in violence is one thing; achieving trust, broad participation, economic recovery, and a fair political framework is another.
Monday’s events will be remembered as a turning point: the last Israeli captives freed, dignified bodies to be returned, and a momentary lull in warfare. Whether it becomes the beginning of lasting peace rather than a pause before renewed conflict remains to be seen.
