Jerusalem: In a critical step toward ending two years of conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) launched operations on Monday to collect the first of 20 surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This operation marks the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement, brokered with the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at halting hostilities and facilitating a humanitarian resolution.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel is set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners later in the day. Meanwhile, the transfer of 28 other Israeli hostages 26 confirmed dead and two whose status remains uncertain — is expected to follow. The ICRC convoy will transport the freed hostages to Israeli security authorities, after which they will be reunited with their families and flown to hospitals in central Israel for urgent medical evaluation.
An official involved in the operation confirmed that the ICRC convoy had reached the first collection point in Gaza, marking the commencement of this highly sensitive and closely monitored mission.
Across Israel, public anticipation and relief were palpable. Near Reim military camp, where the hostages are scheduled to arrive, crowds waved Israeli flags in celebration. Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square also became a gathering point for hundreds of citizens, who held posters of the hostages and cheered their safe return.
In Gaza, around a dozen masked gunmen, believed to be members of Hamas’ armed wing, were seen at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza. They assembled alongside ambulances and makeshift reception areas in the sand, signaling readiness to hand over hostages to the ICRC or receive returning Palestinian prisoners.
The truce comes after two years of intense conflict, initially triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251 individuals. Subsequent Israeli airstrikes and ground operations devastated Gaza, resulting in more than 67,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to Gaza health authorities. The war escalated into a regional crisis, drawing involvement from countries such as Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon, while exacerbating Israel’s diplomatic isolation and reshaping dynamics in the Middle East.
President Trump, flying to Israel aboard Air Force One, declared: “The war is over.” He expressed cautious optimism for the region’s future, noting the potential for normalization. Trump is expected to receive a hero’s welcome in Israel and will address the Knesset later on Monday. Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced plans to award him Israel’s highest civilian honor later this year.
While the release of hostages marks a moment of relief, many questions remain regarding long-term stability. Later on Monday, a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, will convene over 20 world leaders, led by Trump and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to negotiate lasting peace and the post-conflict governance of Gaza.
Several crucial elements of Trump’s 20-point plan remain unresolved, including the future administration of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, which has rejected Israel’s demands. Analysts caution that while the hostage release is a positive development, sustained peace will require careful diplomacy, regional cooperation, and international oversight.
As the first hostages return home, families and citizens of Israel experience a profound sense of relief and gratitude. Yet, the broader path to peace remains fragile, with humanitarian needs, political tensions, and security concerns shaping the ongoing discourse. The Red Cross operation symbolizes both humanitarian resolve and international cooperation, offering a beacon of hope amid years of devastation.
The coming days, particularly the international summit in Egypt, will determine whether this ceasefire becomes a stepping stone toward lasting peace or a temporary respite in a deeply entrenched conflict.