Israel-Hamas prisoner swap begins under US-brokered ceasefire deal
Israel and Hamas are set to begin a major prisoner swap under a US-brokered ceasefire deal. The deal, which ends two deadly conflicts, has brought rare bloodshed to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. US President Donald Trump has confirmed the deal, declaring the long and brutal Gaza war is finally “over.”
Trump heads to Middle East after declaring end to war
Declaring the “war is over,” US President Donald Trump hailed the ceasefire as a rare example of Israeli-Palestinian solidarity. “For the first time, everyone is celebrating together. It’s an honor to be part of this great peace,” Trump said in a speech before leaving for Israel. He is expected to visit Israel, Egypt and other regional allies to bolster post-war cooperation.
‘All united’, Trump says ahead of peace
Trump stressed the rare harmony between communities, saying “both Jews and Muslims are happy to see peace returning.” He vetoed plans to establish a “peace board” to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, describing the war-torn enclave as a “place of destruction.” Trump will address the Israeli Knesset before co-chairing a high-level peace conference in Egypt to seek long-term stability.
Israel launches ‘Operation Returning Home’ to bring back hostages
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched Operation Returning Home, aimed at securing the safe return of hostages held by Hamas. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the combination of sustained military pressure and political cooperation had created a “decisive hand” on Hamas. He added that the issue now is to ensure that Gaza does not cause problems for Israeli civilians again.
Hamas to release hostages in phases via Red Cross
According to sources, Hamas will release both living and dead hostages in three separate phases under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The first two groups are expected to be released overnight, and the third group will be released an hour later. However, an Israeli service spokesman suggested that it was not possible to return all the dead hostages due to the complexity of the rescue operation.
Trump is confident that the ceasefire will hold as the tide of peace grows.
Before boarding the flight, Trump reiterated his confidence that “both sides are tired of war.” He stressed that this is the dawn of a new era of Middle East strategy, where countries will come together to rebuild Gaza and restore peace. Trump’s visit is being seen as the first major step in creating a sustainable post-war framework for the region.
Also Read: Gaza Ceasefire Begins-Palestinians Return to Ruins, Aid to Resume
