Ceasefire Holds in Gaza Ahead of Hostage Release and Trump’s Visit to Israel

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A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held for a third consecutive day on Sunday, as preparations continued for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Israel and speech to the Knesset.

Thousands of Palestinians continued returning north toward Gaza City, once the epicenter of intense Israeli bombardments, expressing hope that the truce will mark the end of the war.

“There is a lot of joy among the people,” said Abdou Abu Seada, noting that the happiness was mixed with exhaustion after two years of conflict that devastated much of Gaza.

Hostage and Prisoner Exchanges Expected Monday

Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian announced that the release of 20 living hostages is expected to begin early Monday morning. Later, Israel will receive the bodies of 28 deceased hostages.

Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas is required to release all remaining hostages by noon Monday. The hostages were captured on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, triggering the war.

Israel’s hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch said a special task force will work to locate the remains of hostages Hamas cannot account for.

Trump’s Middle East Mission

President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday, where he will address the Knesset, before traveling to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for a world leaders’ peace summit on ending the Gaza war.

Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, spoke at a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday, which many Israelis hoped would be the final gathering calling for the hostages’ release and a lasting end to the conflict.

The United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey mediated the first-phase ceasefire agreement, which includes hostage and prisoner exchanges as confidence-building steps toward a broader peace plan.

“We’ve been waiting two years for this day,” said demonstrator Dalia Yosef. “We’re happy for the families, for the hostages — finally, we’ll see them. Thank you, President Trump.”

Palestinian Prisoners to Be Released

The Israel Prison Service confirmed it had transferred some Palestinian prisoners ahead of their release. The Ministry of Justice published a list of 250 prisoners, convicted of murder and other serious crimes, to be freed as part of the agreement.

The list excludes top Hamas commanders and well-known political prisoners such as Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat. Despite this, Hamas officials said discussions over the prisoner list were still ongoing.

Israel will also release 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since October 7, 2023, 22 minors, and the bodies of 360 militants — once the hostages safely reach Israeli soil.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that once the hostages are returned, the military will begin dismantling Hamas’ underground tunnel network in Gaza.

Devastation in Northern Gaza

As displaced Palestinians returned to northern areas, they described massive destruction and warned of unexploded bombs and ordnance.

Aid coordinator Amjad Al Shawa estimated that 300,000 tents are needed to house 1.5 million displaced Gazans.

“We couldn’t believe the destruction we saw,” said Rami Mohammad-Ali, 37, who walked 15 kilometers from Deir Al-Balah to Gaza City with his son. “We’re happy to return home, but the joy is mixed with deep sorrow — there are still human remains scattered along the roads.”