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Hostages

Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire, Allowing Return of Last 20 Living Hostages

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Anticipation builds in Israel as the country prepares to welcome home the last 20 living hostages from Gaza, marking a critical step towards ending the deadliest war between Israel and the militant group Hamas after two years of conflict. Palestinians are awaiting the release of hundreds of prisoners held by Israel, while U.S. President Donald Trump is arriving in the region to discuss the proposed deal and post-war plans. A surge of humanitarian aid is expected into famine-stricken Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli military expects to release 20 living hostages, who will be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross and then reunited with their families, within the next 72 hours.
  • The remains of up to 28 other hostages are expected to be returned, but the timing has not been announced.
  • Israel has warned Palestinians in the West Bank against celebrating the release of prisoners, with 250 individuals serving life sentences and 1,700 others being released without charge.
  • The U.S. plan calls for an international body to govern Gaza, overseeing Palestinian technocrats in day-to-day affairs, and an Arab-led international security force trained by Egypt and Jordan.
  • The Israeli military has withdrawn from much of Gaza City, but troops remain in the southern city of Rafah, and the wide strip along Gaza's border with Israel.
  • The reconstruction process for Gaza is estimated to cost over $1 billion, with questions remaining about who will cover the costs and the future governance of the area.

Statistics:

  • 190,000 metric tons of aid have been approved by Israel to enter Gaza.
  • The Israeli military expects around 600 trucks per day of aid to enter Gaza as stipulated in the agreement.
  • Over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
  • Approximately 90% of Gaza's 2 million residents have been displaced.
  • The war has destroyed large swaths of Gaza and triggered other conflicts in the region.

Sources:

  • Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Jalal Bwaitel in Ramallah, West Bank.
  • AP's war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
  • U.S. President Donald Trump
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas
  • United Nations' U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher
  • The Associated Press.

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