Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are expected to begin exchanging prisoners later. US President Trump, departing for the Middle East, declared the war over.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that Hamas is expected to release all 20 surviving hostages at once, and that the Palestinian prisoners will be released once Israel confirms the safe return of all of them.
AFP, citing Hamas sources, reported that Hamas specifically demanded the release of seven prominent Palestinian figures, including political leader Barghouti. Al Jazeera reported that Hamas has not yet received the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released.
Trump is expected to deliver a speech to the Israeli Knesset before co-hosting a Gaza peace summit in Egypt with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Reports indicate that the mediators behind the Gaza ceasefire will sign an agreement at the summit guaranteeing the implementation of the Gaza peace plan, but neither Israel nor Hamas will attend.
