Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Takes Effect; First Hostages Released in Prisoner Swap
A ceasefire in the two-year Israel-Hamas war has begun, marked by the release of the first group of hostages. Hamas handed over seven hostages to the Red Cross as part of a deal to exchange 20 living hostages for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The agreement, brokered with significant international pressure, is also expected to facilitate a surge of humanitarian aid into the famine-stricken Gaza Strip. US President Donald Trump is visiting the region for a peace summit in Egypt.
Unpacked:
The ceasefire featured three stages: first, a six-week truce with phased hostage-for-prisoner exchanges; second, further releases conditioned on sustained calm and Israeli withdrawal; third, exchange of deceased remains, ending Gaza’s blockade, and preventing Hamas from rebuilding military capabilities.
Hamas first released Israeli hostages (beginning with three women), while Israel freed Palestinian women and children, many detained without trial. Subsequent exchanges involved further releases, with Red Cross supervision and international mediators monitoring the process.
The agreement was brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, with the UN as guarantor. Both U.S. presidents (Biden and Trump) applied pressure on Israel and Hamas, and a UN Security Council resolution supported the deal.
After the ceasefire, hundreds of aid trucks with food and fuel entered Gaza via Israel and Egypt, addressing severe shortages and famine conditions. Supervision by international agencies aimed to ensure aid reached civilians.