War is Over, Trump declares as hostage exchanges loom
In a surprising turn amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump proclaimed that the war is over as Israel and Hamas prepared to finalize a hostage-and-prisoner exchange. Trump’s lightning trip to the region, framed as a victory lap for brokering last week’s ceasefire, underscored a shift from fighting to diplomacy, at least on the surface. He was en route to Israel and Egypt for a peace summit that his administration says could chart a path toward a long-sought resolution, though critics warn the road ahead remains fragile.
The hostage exchange: what is on the table
Under the terms outlined by the American-led roadmap, Hamas is expected to release the surviving hostages, while Israel would release about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Israeli officials indicated that all 20 living hostages were expected to be freed to the Red Cross early Monday morning. The plan also calls for Hamas to hand over remains from a soldier killed in 2014, and for a broader swap that includes 250 security detainees among the 1,700 Palestinians slated for release from Israeli custody in Gaza during the war.
Negotiations continued late into Sunday, with Hamas reportedly pressing for Israel to include seven senior Palestinian leaders on the list of those released. Israel reportedly resisted some of those names, highlighting the ongoing political sensitivities that complicate even the most carefully brokered deals.
A roadmap for Gaza and the broader peace push
Trump presented a 20-point peace plan that he says has the momentum to end the Gaza war and foster regional stability. After meeting Israeli leaders and families of hostages, he will join Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at a summit with more than 20 world leaders. The aim, according to White House briefings, is to gather broad support for a multi-stage process that envisions Israel withdrawing in part from Gaza and replacing the vacuum with an international, U.S.-led multinational force to maintain security and support reconstruction.
Trump has argued that a lasting resolution rests on guarantees from both sides and key regional players. He has insisted he needs not only a ceasefire but a credible plan for disarmament, governance, and reconstruction that can win buy-in from the Palestinian leadership and the Israeli public alike.
On-the-ground uncertainties and political realities
Despite the upbeat tone, many observers warn that the exchange and the peace roadmap do not resolve deeper grievances fueling the conflict. The Gaza Strip remains devastated after more than a decade of conflict and repeated wars, with humanitarian needs vast and politics deeply entrenched. The health ministry in Gaza has recorded tens of thousands of deaths over the years, with a majority of casualties reported as civilians in many estimates. The path to a sustainable peace would require not only the withdrawal of Israeli forces in certain phases but also robust guarantees for security, governance, and the rights of Gaza’s residents.
What comes next?
As Trump prepares to co-host a major regional gathering in Egypt, the immediate question is whether the hostage release and prisoner swap will endure without being undermined by future flashpoints. The next phase hinges on whether Hamas accepts a disarmament framework and whether Israel commits to a credible withdrawal timeline and security arrangements. Both sides have expressed confidence in the process, but the history of the region shows that assurances from leaders must translate into durable, verifiable actions on the ground.
Conclusion
Today’s developments mark a high-stakes moment in the Israel-Hamas conflict: a declared end to the war in the rhetoric of a traveling U.S. president, paired with the practical reality of a complex hostage exchange and a multilateral peace initiative. Whether this moment signals a true turning point or a pause before new disputes erupts remains to be seen. But for now, regional leaders and families affected by the violence will watch closely as the exchange unfolds and a wider peace process attempts to take root.
