Israel announced on Sunday that it anticipates the release of all living hostages held in the Gaza Strip on Monday, marking a significant development following the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The upcoming release coincides with the impending visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel and Egypt, underscoring the rapid progress since the ceasefire was declared last week, signaling a potential resolution to the two-year conflict.
According to Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian, all 20 living hostages are expected to be released simultaneously to the Red Cross and escorted in a convoy of six to eight vehicles. The hostages will then either reunite with their families at a military base or be promptly taken to a hospital if necessary. Subsequently, Israel plans to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the remains of 28 hostages believed to be deceased, with a commemorative ceremony scheduled in Gaza.
In the event that the deceased hostages are not returned within 72 hours, an international task force, led by Gal Hirsch, Israel’s Hostages and Missing Persons coordinator, will initiate efforts to locate and recover the bodies, recognizing that the process may be time-consuming due to potential entrapment under debris. Meanwhile, preparations are underway to escalate the humanitarian aid flow into Gaza, with the Israeli military ramping up aid deliveries to approximately 600 trucks per day, as stipulated by the agreement.
Egypt has dispatched 400 aid trucks to Gaza, carrying essential supplies such as medical provisions, tents, blankets, food, and fuel. The trucks are scheduled for inspection by Israeli troops at the Kerem Shalom crossing. The increased aid efforts come in response to escalating humanitarian crises, including malnutrition and famine, exacerbated by Israeli offensives and aid restrictions in Gaza.
The fate of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a replacement for the UN aid operation in Gaza, remains uncertain following the ceasefire deal. GHF’s operations in Rafah and central Gaza were dismantled post-ceasefire, amid previous operational challenges and casualties during aid distributions. While GHF foresees tactical adjustments in operations during the hostage transfer, no long-term changes are anticipated.
Trump’s imminent visit to Israel and Egypt is expected to further solidify the peace process, with scheduled engagements including meetings with hostage families and a speech at the Knesset. The release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, including those serving life sentences and detainees from Gaza, is pending announcement. Efforts to locate and return the bodies of medical personnel and detained individuals are underway, emphasizing the need for comprehensive post-war reconciliation.
Residents in Gaza are gradually returning to their homes, despite widespread destruction, as first responders continue recovery operations for bodies buried under debris. The ceasefire has enabled the retrieval of bodies previously inaccessible, providing closure to families awaiting the remains of their loved ones. The truce has also prompted reflections on the devastating toll of the two-year conflict, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable peace-building efforts and long-term governance solutions in Gaza.