Overview

• Israel confirmed the first hostages were handed to the ICRC inside Gaza, with seven named individuals transferred to Israeli custody for processing at the Reim reception center and hospitals.
• Under the agreement Israel is preparing to free about 2,000 Palestinian detainees—roughly 250 convicted for deadly attacks and some 1,700 held since October 2023—with officials saying full releases hinge on confirmation that all hostages, alive and deceased, are returned.
• At Sharm el-Sheikh, President Donald Trump and Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sissi convened more than 20 leaders as the United States, Egypt, Qatar and likely Turkey moved to act as guarantors of the ceasefire.
• Trump visited Israel and addressed the Knesset as the exchange began, declaring the war over, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised military gains but cautioned that Israel’s struggle is not finished.
• Humanitarian convoys began entering Gaza via Kerem Shalom and Rafah under the ceasefire, with aid agencies reporting security and distribution problems as displaced residents return to heavily damaged areas.