Israel and Hamas Prepare for Hostage and Prisoner Exchange Under Ceasefire Agreement

Israel and Hamas are preparing for a significant exchange of hostages and prisoners, a key component of a ceasefire agreement intended to conclude the two-year conflict in Gaza. Under the terms of the deal, Hamas is to release all living Israeli hostages within 72 hours of the agreement's signing, a deadline that expires at noon local time on Monday. The militant group currently holds 48 hostages, with 20 believed to be alive. An international task force will be established to locate the remains of hostages not released, many of whom are thought to be buried under rubble in Gaza.

In return, Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. The majority will be sent to Gaza or exiled to neighboring countries, though the exact timing of their release has not been specified. The ceasefire, which began on Friday afternoon, marks the first step in a 20-point plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza. Trump is scheduled to visit Jerusalem on Monday to address the Knesset and meet with families of the hostages. He will then travel to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt to co-chair a peace summit with leaders from over 20 countries, aiming to finalize a permanent truce in Gaza.

Preparations are underway in Israel to receive the hostages. They will be taken to a military base for examination before being transported to hospitals, which have conducted drills to prepare for their arrival. Hagai Angrest, whose son Matan is among the hostages, expressed anticipation: "We are very excited, waiting for our son and for all the 48 hostages."

In the occupied West Bank, families are also preparing to welcome loved ones being released from Israeli jails. Israeli authorities have instructed families to limit public celebrations and media interactions. The Palestinian detainees set for release include 1,700 from Gaza and 250 long-term prisoners, among them Palestinian leaders. Approximately half of these 250 will be released to Gaza or exiled, while the remainder will return to the West Bank or East Jerusalem.

Humanitarian groups are gearing up to send aid into Gaza. Cogat, the Israeli military agency overseeing humanitarian aid, anticipates about 600 trucks entering the strip daily, starting Sunday. This would restore aid to pre-war levels after months of severe restrictions. The United Nations has prepared approximately 170,000 metric tonnes of food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid for Gaza, pending Israeli approval. Priority items include tents, high-energy food for malnourished children, and menstrual hygiene supplies.

The restoration of aid follows months of Israeli siege on Gaza, which led to famine in parts of the territory. At least 459 people have died of hunger over the past two years, with starvation spreading since May. The resumption of regular aid is mandated by the Trump plan, with the UN set to coordinate supplies into Gaza after being barred by Israel in recent months.

The role of the private Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), established to replace the UN in aid distribution, remains unclear. The GHF's logistics sites in Gaza ceased operations following the ceasefire deal. The foundation faced criticism for its distribution model, marked by overcrowding and fatalities. Over 1,000 people were shot by Israeli soldiers during daily scrambles for food at GHF sites, chaos attributed to the foundation's militarized provision model. The GHF has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The United States will deploy up to 200 troops in Israel to assist with stabilization efforts in Gaza. These troops will not enter Gaza but will advise the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) from within Israel. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, met with Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir while traveling to Gaza alongside U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Cooper stated that his visit aimed to establish the CMCC.