Hamas released the final surviving Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday as part of a ceasefire deal, while Israel freed busloads of Palestinian detainees.
The exchange marked a pivotal moment in ending the two-year Gaza war, with US President Donald Trump declaring before Israel’s Knesset that “the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace.”
The United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey brokered the truce, which halted Israel’s deadly offensive in Gaza and led to the release of 20 surviving hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Later that day, Trump joined more than 20 world leaders at a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, co-hosted with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction and future governance.
“Now the rebuilding begins,” Trump said, describing the deal as potentially “the greatest deal of them all.”
However, major challenges persist. The remains of 26 hostages must still be recovered, aid deliveries are urgently needed to avert famine, and questions remain over Gaza’s future leadership and security.
Israel and Hamas were not represented at the summit, while the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE also declined to attend.
Emotional scenes unfolded on both sides of the conflict. In Tel Aviv, crowds wept and cheered as freed hostages returned home. “I am full of happiness,” said Viki Cohen, the mother of one released captive.
In Gaza, Palestinians celebrated the release of prisoners, though grief lingered. “We are still in pain for all those who have been killed,” said Um Ahmed.
Source: Cyprus Mail
