Israel announced on Sunday that it anticipates the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza on Monday, marking a significant step forward in the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The development coincides with the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel and Egypt, following the recent ceasefire declaration that raised hopes for ending the prolonged conflict.
According to Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian, all 20 living hostages are expected to be freed simultaneously and handed over to the Red Cross for transport in six to eight vehicles. The hostages will then be taken to a military base for reunification with their families or immediate medical assistance if required.
After the release of the hostages, Israel plans to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages presumed deceased. A commemorative ceremony is scheduled to be held in Gaza by the military on their behalf, with the deceased individuals transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification.
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. The search for bodies, potentially buried under debris, is expected to be a time-consuming process.
Concurrently, efforts are underway to enhance the humanitarian aid flow into Gaza, with the Israeli military set to increase aid deliveries to about 600 trucks daily, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement. Egypt has dispatched 400 aid trucks into Gaza, carrying essential supplies such as medical items, tents, food, and fuel.
The fate of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which replaced the UN aid operation in May to provide food supplies in Gaza, remains uncertain. Distribution sites operated by GHF in Rafah and central Gaza have been dismantled post-ceasefire, amid concerns over the effectiveness of the organization.
As preparations continue for Trump’s visit, where he is expected to meet with hostage families and address the Knesset before heading to Egypt for a peace summit, the timing for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel under the agreement is yet to be disclosed. The release includes individuals serving life sentences and those detained without charge during the conflict.
Palestinians are gradually returning to their homes in areas previously vacated by Israeli forces, with many facing the stark reality of destruction and displacement. The interim ceasefire has allowed for search and recovery operations for bodies trapped under rubble, with numerous bodies already retrieved and families finally able to lay their loved ones to rest.
The war’s toll, which began with a surprise attack by Hamas-led militants in 2023, has resulted in extensive devastation in Gaza, displacing a large portion of the population and triggering global outcry and allegations of genocide. While the initial ceasefire and hostage/prisoner release plans have been welcomed, uncertainties loom over the long-term sustainability of peace and the governance of Gaza post-conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the military to prepare for the destruction of Hamas-built tunnels in Gaza through an international mechanism supervised by the U.S. following the hostages’ release.
