Ceasefire Holds in Gaza as Hostage Releases and Trump's Israel Visit Proceed

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held for a third consecutive day on Sunday, ahead of the anticipated release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and an address by U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel's parliament.

Thousands of Palestinians traveled north toward Gaza City, the focal point of Israeli attacks over the past two months, hopeful that the ceasefire would signal an end to the conflict. "There is a lot of joy among the people," said Abdou Abu Seada, a Gaza resident, noting that the joy was tempered by exhaustion after two years of war that has devastated much of the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed optimism in a televised statement: "Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path. A path of building, a path of healing, and I hope – a path of uniting hearts."

Government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stated that Israel expects hostages to start being released early Monday morning, with the 20 living hostages to be released together. She added that if hostages were released earlier, Israel was prepared to receive them. Their release is to be followed later by the handover of the bodies of the remaining 28 deceased hostages.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas is due by noon on Monday (0900 GMT) to release the remaining hostages, taken captive on October 7, 2023, when the group's militants launched a surprise attack on Israel that ignited the war.

President Trump is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday to address the Knesset before traveling to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also expected to attend the summit, according to a senior Palestinian official.

Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner addressed a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday, which many Israelis hoped would be the final one urging the release of hostages and an end to the war.

The U.S., along with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, mediated what has been described as a first-phase agreement between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of hostages by Hamas and prisoners and detainees by Israel.

The Israel Prison Service reported transferring some Palestinian prisoners to other facilities ahead of their expected release. The Israeli Ministry of Justice released the names of 250 Palestinians, convicted of murder and other serious crimes, who are to be freed under the deal. The list does not include senior Hamas commanders or prominent figures from other factions.

Although this was not expected to derail the agreement, Hamas' prisoners information office indicated that talks with Israeli mediators over the list of prisoners to be freed were ongoing.

Israel is also set to release 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since October 7, 2023, and 22 Palestinian minors, along with the bodies of 360 militants. Government spokesperson Bedrosian stated that the prisoners would be released once the living hostages reach Israeli territory.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz mentioned that once the hostages were returned, the military would destroy underground tunnels in Gaza built by Hamas.

Palestinians returning to northern Gaza have described widespread devastation. Rescue workers warned of potential unexploded ordnance and bombs in the area. Amjad Al Shawa, who heads a Palestinian organization coordinating with aid groups, estimated that 300,000 tents were needed to temporarily house 1.5 million displaced Gazans.

"We couldn't believe the destruction we have seen," said Rami Mohammad-Ali, 37, after walking 15 km (9.5 miles) with his son from Deir Al Balah to Gaza City. "We are joyful to return to Gaza (City) but at the same time we have bitter feelings about the destruction," he added, describing seeing human remains scattered along roads.