Gaza deal: Israel army says remains of four hostages handed over to Red Cross in Gaza

All 20 surviving hostages, freed by Hamas, reached Israel, marking a critical step in the Middle East peace deal mediated by US President Donald Trump. In return, Israel will release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza, with the handover of hostages scheduled early Monday morning through the Red Cross, according to a spokesperson from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The hostages, identified by Hamas’s armed wing—the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades—are among 48 captives, both living and deceased, currently held by Palestinian militants.

Trump’s visit to Israel is described as “very special,” and he expressed optimism that the ceasefire will hold, saying, “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” During his four-hour stay, he will meet with families of hostages captured during the deadly cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war. Trump is also scheduled to address the Knesset and hold talks with Netanyahu, highlighting his role in brokering last week’s ceasefire and hostage release deal. His trip coincides with the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, marking the second anniversary of the Hamas attack.

Following his Israel visit, Trump will travel to Egypt, where he and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will host a summit with over 20 world leaders to advance his plan for ending the Gaza conflict and promoting regional peace. The initiative envisions the creation of a new governing body for Gaza, coordinated by a US-led multinational force, as Israel gradually withdraws from the territory. Trump emphasized that he has “guarantees” from key regional players about the deal’s initial phase and is optimistic about future steps, despite Hamas’s refusal to disarm and Israel’s partial withdrawal.
The developments signal a major milestone in the fragile peace process, offering hope for stability in the region while underscoring the challenges that remain in implementing a lasting resolution.