Israel announced on Sunday that it anticipates the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza on Monday as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Hamas. This development coincides with the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel and Egypt, underscoring the rapid progress since the ceasefire was declared, offering a glimpse of resolution to the two-year conflict.
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian disclosed that all 20 living hostages would be handed over to the Red Cross simultaneously and transported in a convoy of six to eight vehicles. The exchange process is expected to differ from previous rounds, with the hostages being escorted to a military base for reunification with their families or immediate medical attention if necessary.
Following the release of the hostages, Israel plans to free approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages presumed deceased. A ceremony is scheduled to honor the fallen in Gaza, with the bodies to be identified at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
An international task force will be deployed to locate any deceased hostages not returned within the 72-hour timeframe, as confirmed by Gal Hirsch, Israel’s co-ordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons. Efforts to recover bodies buried in rubble may take considerable time.
Concurrently, preparations are underway to increase humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, with the Israeli military set to escalate aid shipments to around 600 trucks per day as outlined in the agreement. Egypt has dispatched 400 aid trucks to Gaza, carrying essential supplies such as medical equipment, tents, blankets, food, and fuel.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s future remains uncertain following the dismantling of its distribution sites in Rafah and central Gaza after the ceasefire deal. The foundation, supported by Israel and the U.S., aimed to prevent Hamas from seizing aid operations but faced operational challenges and casualties during its activities.
Trump is scheduled to visit Israel and Egypt, where he will engage with hostage families, address the Knesset, and participate in a peace summit co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. The timeline for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, including those serving life sentences and individuals detained without charge, has yet to be disclosed.
Palestinians are gradually returning to their homes in areas vacated by Israeli forces, despite widespread destruction. The ceasefire has enabled first responders to access previously restricted zones and recover bodies trapped under debris, providing closure to families awaiting the remains of their loved ones.
The conflict, which began in 2023 with Hamas-led attacks, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Gaza. While the ceasefire offers temporary relief, unresolved issues regarding governance in Gaza and Hamas’s future post-war status loom large. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered preparations to dismantle Hamas tunnels under Gaza once the hostages are freed through an international mechanism overseen by the U.S.
