U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli parliament today, calling it a “dawn of a new Middle East” following the release of all living hostages by Hamas. This development coincided with Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. Trump is now en route to Egypt for a summit focused on the future of Gaza.
The 20 remaining living hostages in Gaza were returned to Israel earlier today after enduring two years of conflict. Meanwhile, the bodies of 28 hostages who are presumed dead remain in Gaza. The agreement also facilitated the release of approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners serving lengthy sentences, along with over 1,700 Palestinian detainees held without charge since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.
Emotional reunions took place as the freed hostages met with their families in hospitals across Israel. Similarly, Palestinian prisoners were welcomed by relatives in the West Bank as they returned to Gaza on buses.
