Anticipation built across Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank on Sunday as the before a critical day for all sides and the region.

Preparations appeared underway for the freeing of the 48 hostages — both alive and dead — still in Gaza, and for the release of hundreds of More ramped-up aid was being readied for Gaza, much in ruins after two years of war that began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,600 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

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