Countdown to a pivotal hostage-prisoner exchange
As a Monday deadline approaches, authorities in Israel and Gaza are bracing for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners under a ceasefire deal that could mark a turning point after two years of war in Gaza. Hamas is pledged to release all living hostages in Gaza within 72 hours of signing the agreement, with the deadline set for noon local time (10am UK time). At present, 48 hostages are believed to be held in Gaza, 20 of whom are confirmed alive.
What the swap entails and the timeline
The agreement envisions a two-pronged exchange: Hamas releasing living hostages, while Israel frees roughly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. The timing of Israel’s detainee releases has not been precisely pegged, but the plan calls for many to be sent to Gaza or exiled to neighboring countries, with a balance between Gaza and West Bank/East Jerusalem destinations.
International involvement and leadership aims
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to visit Jerusalem to address the Knesset alongside discussions of the hostage-detainee swap. He will then travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to co-chair a broader peace summit with leaders from more than 20 countries, aiming to advance a permanent Gaza truce. While the path to lasting peace remains complex, Trump has framed the hostage-prisoner exchange as the first concrete step in a wider 20-point plan to end the war.
The human impact and public response
Families of hostages in Israel and the West Bank are preparing for reunions, though officials caution restraint and media guidelines as the process unfolds. In Tel Aviv, tens of thousands gathered near what supporters called “Hostages Square” to hear remarks from international figures, underscoring the emotional gravity of the moment. For many Palestinians, the exchange offers a fragile glimmer of hope after a decade-plus of conflict that has devastated the Gaza Strip.
Aid and humanitarian relief as a renewed focus
With the ceasefire in view, humanitarian groups are mobilizing to restore aid into Gaza. Israel’s Cogat, which oversees humanitarian deliveries, anticipates around 600 trucks per day, restoring relief levels to roughly prewar conditions. The UN says about 170,000 metric tonnes of essential goods—food, medicine, and more—are ready for entry once crossings are opened. Prior to the ceasefire, Gaza had faced severe restrictions, with famine and hunger affecting large swaths of the population.
Questions about the Gaza aid framework and past challenges
The private Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) was intended to coordinate aid distribution in Gaza, but its effectiveness has been questioned. Critics highlighted crowding, fatalities, and a militarized approach at distribution sites, complicating relief efforts. The foundation has denied wrongdoing, but relief groups have urged a more reliable and peaceful process for delivering aid and meeting urgent needs.
Wider regional role and security considerations
Beyond the hostages and detainees, the U.S. intends to support stabilization efforts by deploying up to 200 troops to assist in Gaza from behind the scenes, establishing the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC). While no American troops will operate inside Gaza, this advisory presence is designed to help coordinate humanitarian and security operations on the ground. Senior military leaders have underscored that stabilizing Gaza will be essential to preventing relapse into violence and ensuring aid reaches those most in need.
What happens next and the broader outlook
As families brace for reunions and aid chains begin to re-open, the ceasefire’s durability remains the defining question. The hostages and prisoners exchange is a critical first step, but the path to a lasting peace demands negotiations, trust-building, and consistent humanitarian access. The coming days will reveal whether the international push can transform temporary arrangements into a sustainable end to the war and a durable resolution for Gaza’s people.
