Title: Hamas Releases Seven Hostages to Red Cross Amid Ceasefire

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Hamas has released seven hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday. This marks the first transfer of hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement following two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The condition of the released hostages has not been disclosed.

Hamas has stated that it plans to exchange 20 living hostages for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners currently held by Israel. The announcement of the hostages' release prompted cheers from families and friends, as Israeli television reported the news. Public screenings across Israel, including a major event in Tel Aviv, drew tens of thousands of viewers.

As the hostages were being released, Palestinians awaited the return of hundreds of prisoners held by Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump is visiting the region to discuss a proposed deal and postwar plans. Humanitarian aid is expected to flow into Gaza, which has been severely affected by the conflict, leaving many residents homeless.

The release of hostages is seen as a significant step toward ending the ongoing war, which has been described as the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas. Earlier on Monday, Hamas released a list of the 20 living hostages it intends to free, along with a list of over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners it claims will be released by Israel.

The return of the hostages concludes a painful chapter for Israel. Since their capture during the Hamas attack in October 2023, the hostages' families have been at the forefront of public demonstrations, demanding their release. Many Israelis have worn yellow pins and ribbons in solidarity, and protests have been held weekly.

As the war continued, some demonstrators accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of delaying action for political reasons, while Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the ongoing conflict. The ceasefire was agreed upon last week amid increasing international pressure on Israel.

The released hostages will be handed over to the Red Cross and then to the Israeli military, which will take them to the Reim military base for reunification with their families. However, it is unlikely that the remains of up to 28 other hostages will be returned simultaneously. An international task force has been established to locate deceased hostages not returned within 72 hours, according to Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostages and the missing.

The timing for the release of Palestinian prisoners has not yet been announced. Among those expected to be released are 250 individuals serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis, as well as 1,700 others detained during the conflict. The prisoners will be returned to the West Bank or Gaza, or they may be exiled. While Israel views these prisoners as terrorists, Palestinians consider them freedom fighters.

Israeli authorities have warned Palestinians in the West Bank against celebrating the release of prisoners, according to a family member of a prisoner and a Palestinian official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

During his visit, Trump is expected to meet with families of the hostages and address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Vice President JD Vance indicated that Trump may also meet with the newly freed hostages. Trump stated, "The war is over," and expressed optimism that the ceasefire would hold.

Trump will continue his visit in Egypt, where he will co-chair a peace summit with regional and international leaders, including Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu has dismissed any potential role for Abbas in postwar Gaza, although the U.S. plan leaves open the possibility for his involvement if reforms are made.

Key issues regarding the governance of Gaza and funding for reconstruction remain unresolved. Israel aims to ensure that Hamas disarms, while Hamas insists on the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The Israeli military has already pulled back from much of Gaza City and other areas, but troops remain in parts of Rafah and along the border with Israel.

Under the U.S. plan, an international body is proposed to govern Gaza, with Palestinian technocrats managing daily operations. An Arab-led international security force is also suggested, alongside Palestinian police trained by Egypt and Jordan. Approximately 200 U.S. troops are currently in Israel to monitor the ceasefire.

The United Nations has reported that Israel has approved the entry of 190,000 metric tons of aid into Gaza, with expectations for this to increase to around 600 trucks per day. U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described much of Gaza as a wasteland and outlined plans to restore basic services and deliver essential supplies in the coming months.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages. In the subsequent Israeli offensive, over 67,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The war has devastated large areas of Gaza and displaced about 90% of its 2 million residents, leading to widespread international protests and allegations of genocide, which Israel denies.