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Hamas Frees All 20 Surviving Israeli Hostages Under U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire

Israel moves to free roughly 1,966 Palestinian detainees under the first-phase exchange.

Overview

  • Hamas transferred the captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross in two batches of seven and 13, and the IDF took custody for initial medical assessments.
  • Israeli officials said about 1,966 Palestinian detainees, including roughly 250 convicted in deadly attacks, boarded buses for release, with many expected to arrive at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital.
  • President Donald Trump arrived in Israel to address the Knesset before heading to a Sharm el‑Sheikh summit focused on implementing next steps in the ceasefire plan and proposed international monitoring.
  • The ICRC described a multi‑phase operation handling both hostage returns and detainee transfers, while the U.N. reported expanded aid approvals and the EU said it will restart its Rafah border monitoring mission.
  • Key disputes remain over Hamas disarmament, Gaza’s postwar governance and the scope of Israeli withdrawal, as Israel’s defense minister warned of operations targeting Hamas’ tunnel network.