Gaza Ceasefire Holds Ahead of Hostage Release; Trump to Address Knesset on Monday

CAIRO/JERUSALEM – The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has held for a third consecutive day, clearing the way for the expected release of the remaining Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as early as Monday morning.

The diplomatic breakthrough, brokered by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, is set to initiate a new phase after two years of devastating conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian confirmed the expectation that the 20 living Israeli hostages—captured during the October 7, 2023, attack—will begin their release early Monday morning. The handover of the bodies of the remaining 28 deceased hostages is slated to follow.

The release is scheduled to commence by noon on Monday (0900 GMT), per the terms of the agreement.

In exchange, Israel will release a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners convicted of serious crimes, along with 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the war began, and the bodies of 360 militants. The exchange does not include high-profile Palestinian figures like Marwan Al Barghouti or Ahmed Saadat, though Hamas’s prisoners information office indicated that discussions over the final prisoner list are ongoing.

Trump’s High-Stakes Diplomacy
The critical exchange will unfold as US President Donald Trump arrives in Israel on Monday to address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. This high-profile visit marks a significant diplomatic moment, following his administration’s pivotal role in mediating the truce.

Following his address, Trump will travel to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for a world leaders’ summit focused on securing an end to the Gaza war, which Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also expected to attend.

Gaza City: Joy Mixed with Despair
In Gaza, thousands of Palestinians are traveling north toward Gaza City, the former focus of Israeli military operations, holding onto hope that the ceasefire will bring a definitive end to the war.

“There is a lot of joy among the people,” said Gaza resident Abdou Abu Seada, though he noted the happiness was “tempered by exhaustion” after two years of destruction.

However, the reality awaiting them is one of widespread devastation. Palestinians returning to the north described scenes of total destruction, with human remains scattered along roads. Rescue workers have issued warnings about unexploded ordnance, and aid coordinator Amjad Al Shawa estimates that 300,000 tents are immediately needed to house the 1.5 million displaced Gazans.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that once the hostages are returned, the military will move forward with plans to destroy Hamas’s extensive network of underground tunnels in Gaza.