Overview

• All 20 living Israeli hostages were released after 738 days in captivity and have reunited with their families.
• Israel began freeing roughly 1,700–2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, including about 250 serving life sentences, with many others detained since Oct. 7, 2023 awaiting trial.
• Hamas agreed to return the bodies of 28 hostages who died in captivity, with local reports noting that at least four have been returned so far.
• Humanitarian aid is beginning to reach parts of Gaza under the ceasefire’s terms, with community leaders reporting initial deliveries.
• President Donald Trump characterized the first-phase exchange as part of a broader peace plan, as communities across U.S. cities marked the moment with relief tempered by caution over the deal’s fragility.