MWE Correspondent
The Israeli military has confirmed that all 20 remaining living hostages held by Hamas have been released, marking a significant milestone in the ceasefire deal that has brought a fragile calm to the region.
According to officials, the captives were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross before being transported to Israeli custody. The release—carried out under tight security—comes as part of a broader truce arrangement between Israel and Hamas, following months of intense negotiations mediated by international partners.
Scenes of raw emotion unfolded in Tel Aviv’s Hostages’ Square, where hundreds of families and supporters gathered, holding photographs of loved ones and chanting songs of hope. As news broke that the last group had crossed into Israel, the square erupted in tears, hugs, and applause.
The deal, described by U.S. officials as a “turning point,” is part of a 20-point peace framework. Under its terms, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees and significantly expand humanitarian aid to Gaza. The plan also outlines steps toward rebuilding the war-ravaged enclave and re-establishing essential infrastructure destroyed in the recent conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrived in Israel earlier in the day, hailed the moment as “the end of a long and painful chapter.” Speaking aboard Air Force One before landing, he announced plans to create a “Board of Peace” tasked with overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction, describing the territory as “a demolition site that will soon become a miracle.”
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He praised both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar’s diplomatic role in facilitating the deal, calling it “a testament to what persistence and faith can achieve.” Trump is expected to continue to Egypt later in the week for a regional summit aimed at consolidating the ceasefire.
The truce, which took effect last Friday, follows two years of devastating violence that erupted after the Hamas-led assault on Israel in October 2023. Thousands of lives have been lost, and entire neighborhoods in Gaza have been reduced to rubble. While the release of hostages has sparked celebration, many observers caution that rebuilding trust will be the hardest task ahead.
For families of the released, however, today is about relief rather than politics. As the final buses arrived at an Israeli airbase, mothers wept, fathers saluted, and soldiers stood in silence. For the first time in years, the night ended without the sound of sirens—only the quiet, unspoken hope that this fragile peace might finally endure.
