Overview

• Hamas handed over all 20 surviving Israeli captives to the Red Cross, and Israel confirmed they crossed back into the country for reunions and medical checks.
• Israel began releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including about 250 long‑term inmates convicted in deadly attacks and many held during the war, with transfers to Gaza and the West Bank.
• The exchange launched the first phase of a ceasefire mediated by the United States with Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, alongside a partial Israeli pullback and a U.S.-led multinational team coordinating aid and monitoring compliance.
• Trump lauded the progress at the Knesset before joining more than 20 leaders in Egypt to discuss the deal’s next steps, including Hamas’ disarmament, Israeli withdrawal parameters and plans for Gaza’s administration and rebuilding.
• Reuters footage showed armed Hamas units appearing in parts of Gaza during the releases, underscoring security concerns and unresolved questions over the group’s future, while the return of the bodies of dozens of dead hostages is expected but not yet scheduled.