Background to the deal
The long-stalled conflict between Israel and Gaza has edged toward a potential turning point. The ceasefire framework includes a landmark swap: Hamas is to release all living Israeli hostages in Gaza within 72 hours of signing, and Israel will release around 2,000 Palestinian detainees. The deadline for the exchange is a noon local time cut-off on Monday, with the aim of ending more than two years of war and widespread suffering in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas holds 48 hostages, with authorities believing about half are alive. The complexity of locating remains and arranging safe releases has led to an international taskforce taking a lead role in identifying and recovering bodies not released on Monday.
What’s being swapped
The prisoner aspect of the deal is equally significant. Israel is set to free nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, many of whom are expected to be sent to Gaza or exiled to neighboring countries. A portion of those released will be transferred to the West Bank or East Jerusalem, while others will be allowed to return to Gaza; timing for these releases is aligned with the hostage handover but has not been fully specified.
The exchange marks the first formal step in a broader 20-point plan led by U.S. mediation and diplomatic engagement. While many details remain to be negotiated for a lasting truce, the immediate swap is designed to reduce violence and re-open corridors for humanitarian access.
International role and diplomacy
U.S. involvement is central to the unfolding events. President Donald Trump is set to visit Jerusalem to address the Knesset near the moment of the hostage-detainee release, after which he will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to co-chair a peace summit with leaders from more than 20 countries. The aim is to build consensus toward a permanent ceasefire and stable governance for Gaza.
In parallel, a U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) will coordinate stabilisation efforts from within Israel, with up to 200 American troops assisting on the diplomatic and advisory front without operating inside Gaza. The involvement of international actors signals a broad attempt to transform a fragile ceasefire into durable peace negotiations.
Humanitarian aid and concerns on the ground
The humanitarian picture remains dire in Gaza. Humanitarian groups expect a resumption of aid flows, with an initial target of about 600 trucks entering Gaza daily. The UN reports about 170,000 metric tonnes of food, medicine, and other aid ready to move in, prioritising essentials such as tents, nutrition for malnourished children, and menstrual hygiene supplies.
The restoration of regular aid follows years of restricted access, with hunger and famine conditions reported in parts of Gaza. The new ceasefire framework expressly mandates aid distribution under international coordination, aiming to prevent the chaotic, militarized distribution patterns that previously emerged at some aid sites.
Public sentiment and the road ahead
Public reactions have been mixed and deeply personal. In Tel Aviv, tens of thousands gathered at a prominent square, with supporters praising the impending release while others expressed political reservations about the broader implications for leadership and policy. Families of detainees and hostages in both Israel and the occupied West Bank await updates with cautious optimism while urging restraint in celebrations.
Analysts caution that while the hostage-detainee swap is a critical first step, it is not a guaranteed path to lasting peace. The two-year war has caused widespread casualties and destruction in Gaza, drawing global debate over terms of self-defense, proportionality, and accountability. As the clock ticks toward the deadline, negotiators and humanitarian actors continue to push for a sustainable ceasefire, enduring access to aid, and political arrangements that can prevent a renewed cycle of violence.
Next steps
Beyond Monday’s exchange, the focus shifts to implementing a permanent truce and expanding humanitarian corridors. The international community will monitor compliance, keep families informed, and work toward stabilizing infrastructure and governance in Gaza.
