Significant uncertainties persist, particularly regarding whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza moving forward, highlighting the fragile nature of the current ceasefire.
-
Both Israeli and Palestinian communities cautiously welcome the truce, hopeful it signals the dawn of a peaceful era.
On Monday, a pivotal development unfolded as Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and prisoners, marking a crucial step toward reinforcing the delicate ceasefire in Gaza. This exchange, facilitated by the United States, has ignited hopes that the agreement could pave the way for a durable resolution to the violent conflict that has persisted for over two years.
Despite this progress, key issues remain unresolved-most notably, the question of Hamas’s disarmament and the future political leadership of Gaza-which continue to cloud the prospects for lasting peace.
Hamas released the last 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza in a prisoner swap involving nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, prompting rare celebrations among communities on both sides of the divide.
Subsequently, representatives from more than 20 countries gathered in Egypt for a summit co-chaired by former US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, with the goal of transforming the fragile ceasefire into a sustainable peace agreement.
“Peace has finally come to the Middle East,” Trump declared at the summit, surrounded by international leaders. He endorsed a joint declaration alongside the presidents of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aimed at evolving the ceasefire into a comprehensive peace framework. However, it is notable that neither Israeli nor Hamas officials were present to sign the agreement.
Earlier that day, Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset, urging lawmakers to seize the moment for broader regional reconciliation and declaring an end to the “long nightmare” endured by both Israelis and Palestinians.
In Tel Aviv, around 65,000 people gathered at “Hostages Square” to welcome the arrival of the 20 freed Israelis, who were transported by military helicopter to medical facilities. The square featured live broadcasts of the hostages’ release and emotional reunions with their families. Additionally, the Israeli military confirmed the return of the remains of four hostages, which Hamas handed over to the Red Cross.
Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, thousands celebrated the liberation of nearly 1,700 Palestinians detained during the conflict, while in Ramallah, the administrative center of the West Bank, crowds greeted 88 Palestinian prisoners who had been serving life sentences under Israeli authority. Another 160 detainees were deported through Egypt following their release.
The United Nations stressed that Gaza continues to require urgent “life-saving humanitarian aid.” Aid deliveries have commenced, with many more shipments anticipated in the coming days, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The previous ceasefire in Gaza collapsed after two months in March when Israel resumed military operations. Trump expressed optimism that his 20-point peace and reconstruction plan for Gaza would gain traction.
As of Monday, the ceasefire appeared stable in Gaza, following a devastating two-year Israeli military campaign that has claimed nearly 68,000 lives since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and left 250 individuals captive.