A significant step toward peace in the Middle East is underway as the first seven Israeli hostages held in Gaza were released and transferred into the custody of the Israeli military.
The operation, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, saw the hostages handed over in northern Gaza before being moved to a secure location for medical checks and reunions with their families.
The released individuals were identified as Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Eitan Abraham Mor, and the twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman.
This initial release is part of a larger exchange that is expected to see a total of 20 living hostages freed, alongside the remains of up to 28 deceased hostages.
In return, Israel is set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The event was underscored by a visit from U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrived in Israel to witness the developments.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route, President Trump declared that "the war is over," expressing confidence that the ceasefire would hold.
He announced that a supervisory body, which he called a "Board of Peace," would be established quickly to oversee Gaza's future.
Trump's itinerary includes addressing the Israeli Knesset and meeting with hostage families. Later, he is scheduled to travel to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to co-chair an international summit with more than 20 world leaders, aiming to solidify a lasting peace and discuss the governance of Gaza.
This breakthrough follows a prolonged conflict that began with the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza resulted, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths.
The current ceasefire, which took effect on Friday after the agreement on a 20-point peace plan, marks a pivotal moment.
While the return of the first hostages brings relief to their families and the nation, the path to a complete and durable peace, with many hostages still in captivity and Gaza's long-term future unresolved, remains complex.
