Hamas has released the last group of surviving Israeli hostages, marking a major milestone in the recently implemented ceasefire deal brokered by the United States.
The development signals a potential end to the two-year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.
A total of 20 hostages—part of the more than 200 individuals abducted on October 7, 2023, during a Hamas-led attack on Israel—were freed on Monday under the terms of the agreement.
The peace deal, initiated by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was finalized last week with both Israel and Hamas agreeing to a phased resolution of the conflict.
According to Mr. Trump, the initial steps in the process include the release of hostages on both sides and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which he described as a move toward “a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.”
In response, Israel has also released numerous Palestinian detainees. As reported by Al Jazeera, large crowds gathered to welcome the released prisoners as they arrived by bus from Ofer Prison to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Emotional scenes unfolded as family members and friends embraced their loved ones.
Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians have started returning to northern Gaza, attempting to rebuild their lives amidst widespread destruction. Many are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
The conflict, which erupted in October 2023, has resulted in the deaths of more than 67,806 people and left 170,066 others injured. The situation in Gaza has been further worsened by severe food shortages, with starvation increasingly contributing to the rising death toll—particularly among children.
The United Nations reports that since late May, over 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking food. However, humanitarian access has seen some improvement, with cooking gas being allowed in for the first time since March, alongside increased deliveries of food and medical supplies.
