A significant hostage and prisoner exchange has occurred, marking a key step in a US-brokered plan to end a two-year war in Gaza. Hamas released all living Israeli hostages, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This initial phase followed a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid into Gaza.
US President Donald Trump, present in Israel as the exchanges took place, declared a "historic dawn in a new Middle East" in a speech to the Israeli parliament. He then attended a summit in Egypt with over 20 world leaders to discuss further stages of his peace plan, where Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US signed a declaration as guarantors of the ceasefire.
The exchanges led to emotional reunions, with families of freed hostages expressing overwhelming joy and Palestinians celebrating the return of detainees. However, challenges remain, including Hamas's statement that it would only return the bodies of four deceased hostages, with the remains of others possibly still in Gaza.
The latter phases of Trump's peace plan face potential sticking points regarding Israeli troop withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and the future governance of Gaza. Trump indic... download the app to read more
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