Israel Anticipates Hostage Release as Ceasefire with Hamas Holds

Israel announced on Sunday its expectation that all 20 living hostages held in Gaza will be released on Monday, as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel's military chief of staff, stated, "In a few hours, we will all be reunited."

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Israel and Egypt on Monday to celebrate the ceasefire, which was announced last week, marking the end of a two-year conflict. Trump expressed confidence in the ceasefire's durability and mentioned his intention to visit Gaza.

Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian detailed that the 20 living hostages are to be released simultaneously to the Red Cross, then transported to a military base for reunions with their families or, if necessary, immediate medical attention. Following the hostages' release, Israel plans to free approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the remains of 28 hostages believed to be deceased. An international task force will commence efforts to locate any deceased hostages not returned within 72 hours, according to Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for hostages and the missing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Monday as a "path of healing." He has faced criticism from some Israelis who accuse him of prolonging the war for political reasons, an allegation he denies.

The timing for the release of Palestinian prisoners has not been announced. The list includes 250 individuals serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained from Gaza during the conflict without formal charges. A Palestinian official indicated that a Hamas delegation is in Cairo discussing the list of prisoners with mediators, pressing for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian leader. Israel has not commented on this matter.

The United Nations reported progress on humanitarian aid in Gaza, distributing hundreds of thousands of hot meals and bread. Cooking gas entered the territory for the first time since March. Israel has approved 190,000 metric tons of aid to enter, up from 170,000. The Israeli military anticipates increasing aid deliveries to around 600 trucks per day, as stipulated in the agreement.

President Trump, who played a role in facilitating the ceasefire deal, is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday morning. He will meet with families of the hostages and address the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Trump will then proceed to Egypt, where he and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi will co-chair a "peace summit" with regional and international leaders. Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority, is also expected to attend.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the military to prepare for the destruction of Hamas-built tunnels under Gaza through an international mechanism led by the U.S., once the hostages are released.

Palestinians have begun returning to areas vacated by Israeli forces. Satellite images show vehicles traveling north to Gaza City. Residents like Mohamed Samy found their homes reduced to rubble. Armed police in Gaza City and southern Gaza are patrolling streets and securing aid trucks in areas where Israeli forces have withdrawn. The Interior Ministry announced it would allow members of armed groups not involved in the killing of Palestinians to surrender starting Monday to "repent and be pardoned."

First responders are searching previously inaccessible areas for bodies under rubble. Health officials reported that 233 bodies have been brought to hospitals since Friday, when the truce began.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken. Israel's subsequent offensive led to over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The war has devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced about 90% of its 2 million residents.