Gaza (Web Desk)
As part of a historic Gaza peace agreement, Palestinian resistance group Hamas has released 20 Israeli hostages, while Israel has begun the release of more than 1,700 Palestinian prisoners, according to Arab media reports.
Hamas released the hostages in two phases today — seven in the first phase and 13 in the second. The hostages were handed over in coordination with international mediators as part of a broader ceasefire and prisoner swap deal.
Israeli media reports further claim that Hamas will also return the bodies of 28 deceased Israeli hostages today. Meanwhile, buses carrying the Palestinian prisoners have already departed Israeli jails for Gaza and the West Bank. Upon arrival, many of the released detainees are expected to be taken to Al-Nasr Hospital in Gaza for medical evaluation.
Earlier, Israeli authorities had stated that the release of Palestinian prisoners would only take place after confirmation that the Israeli hostages were freed.
Under the terms of the agreement, around 2,000 Palestinian detainees will be released in exchange for 20 living Israeli hostages. Hamas’ armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, has publicly released the list of hostages being freed. In Khan Younis, preparations for the handover were completed, drawing large crowds of Palestinians near the release site.
On the diplomatic front, a formal signing ceremony of the Gaza Peace Agreement will be held later today in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are expected to attend the event, marking their support for the deal.
Previously, it was reported that Israel would release 250 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life sentences. Additionally, more than 1,700 others, many of whom were held without charges during the recent conflict — including nearly two dozen children — are also being freed.
Meanwhile, humanitarian aid trucks have begun entering Gaza. Palestinians who had been displaced to southern Gaza due to Israeli military operations are now returning to the north. However, they are met with widespread devastation, as much of Gaza City has been reduced to rubble.