Tension eased in the Middle East Today as Hamas released 20 surviving Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross in two separate batches, a key step in implementing a new Gaza ceasefire deal. The release coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Israel ahead of a planned peace summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. The freed hostages were part of a broader agreement that also includes the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and the return of Israeli remains held by Hamas.
Under the first phase of the deal, 47 Israeli hostages both living and deceased will be swapped for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained since the war’s onset. Israeli authorities confirmed that the first group of seven hostages was handed over in Gaza City, while another 13 were released in Khan Yunis. The Israeli army said all have been safely transferred into its custody. The released captives include Guy Gilboa Dalal, Eitan Mor, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Gali and Ziv Berman, and Omri Miran.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by President Trump, mandates Hamas to complete all handovers by midday, while Israel will release Palestinian detainees only after confirming the hostages’ safe return. Reacting to the development, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the Israeli government to continue efforts until every captive is accounted for, stressing that their mission will not end “until the last hostage is returned for proper burial.”