Overview

• Hamas transferred the captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross in two waves, first seven then thirteen, with discreet handovers inside Gaza before medical processing at Israel’s Reim base.
• Israel is preparing to free roughly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including up to about 250 serving life sentences, once the hostages’ arrivals are fully confirmed.
• The ceasefire is holding as President Donald Trump visits Israel and then heads to Egypt for a ceremony with more than 20 leaders; Hamas will not attend and is represented by mediators.
• Israeli officials do not expect all 28 deceased hostages’ remains to be returned within the agreed window, and an international effort is being organized to locate those still missing.
• Humanitarian operations are scaling up with plans for about 600 aid trucks per day into Gaza, while core issues such as Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawals remain unresolved.