Under a landmark ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, Hamas handed over all 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday, marking a rare moment of relief in a conflict that has cost over 1,200 civilian lives since October 2023.
In Tel Aviv, crowds gathered outside the hospital for hostages’ families erupted in cheers, tears, and spontaneous songs as the first groups arrived under Red Cross escort. Yet, the jubilation was tempered by the knowledge that 27 hostages died in captivity and may not all be returned.
The exchange hinges on Israel freeing nearly 2,000 detainees held in its jails, including 250 security detainees convicted of violent acts. Since October 7, militants seized 251 hostages during an unprecedented Hamas attack, triggering a Gaza war that left much of the territory in ruins.
Data snapshot: Over 1,700 Palestinians were detained during the conflict, signaling the scale of what many observers call the largest hostage-swap negotiation in recent memory.
As Trump arrived in Israel for a high-stakes visit en route to a peace summit in Egypt, he declared the war “over” and expressed confidence that the ceasefire would hold. “People are tired of it. It’s been centuries,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
With Gaza’s devastated landscapes in urgent need of reconstruction, thought leaders and aid organizations are already calling for sustained humanitarian corridors and investment in sustainable rebuilding efforts—an opportunity to transform wartime rubble into pathways for lasting peace.
What comes next remains uncertain. Israel and Hamas face immense pressure to negotiate a durable truce, even as families on both sides begin the long process of healing amid political tensions and calls for justice.
For global citizens, entrepreneurs, and advocates, this moment underscores the power of high-stakes diplomacy, the human cost of conflict, and the urgent need for innovative solutions that prioritize people over politics.
Reference(s):
Hamas frees all 20 surviving Israeli hostages under ceasefire deal
cgtn.com
