President Donald Trump is making his way to the Middle East, where he’ll visit both Israel and Egypt. This trip coincides with a ceasefire that the United States helped to broker between Israel and Hamas. The groundwork has been laid for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
On Monday, Trump is expected to land in Tel Aviv to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. After this, he will head to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for what the White House has called a “Middle East Peace Ceremony.”
As of Sunday, hostilities in Gaza had paused for the third day as preparations are made for the release of 20 Israeli hostages and several hundred Palestinian prisoners. This is just the first step of Trump’s 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the longstanding conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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“This is going to be a very special time,” Trump remarked while departing from Joint Base Andrews. “Everyone is really excited about what’s happening right now.”
He highlighted that the trip is noteworthy because it marks a moment when Muslims, Arabs, and Israel are all united in this rare celebration following the ceasefire.
“This is a moment of unity that has never happened before; people are astonished and truly thrilled,” Trump expressed.
The United States, along with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, helped mediate the agreement that was established after Trump presented his peace proposal alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on September 29. Negotiators from both Israel and Hamas finalized the deal just last week, which Trump proudly announced on social media.
Background on the Israel-Hamas Conflict
The ceasefire klaxon and the upcoming release of hostages come over two years after the bloody conflict ignited. It all started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel. This event resulted in approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 taken as hostages.
In retaliation, Israel launched a fierce military offensive that devastated much of Gaza. Reports indicate that the offensive displaced tens of thousands and caused over 67,000 deaths, with most casualties being civilians, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Details on Israeli Hostages
On October 13, it’s anticipated that 20 Israeli hostages will finally be released. Many of them were taken during a music festival in Reim when the October 7 attack took place.
Some individuals who had previously been released were also at this festival, while numerous others lost their lives in the assault. The list of hostages slated for return includes two sets of brothers, dual citizens, and two Israeli soldiers who were also captured during this tragedy.
The agreement includes the remains of another 28 hostages, although the specifics regarding their return timing remain unclear.
Israel’s hostages coordinator, Gal Hirsch, revealed to Reuters that a team would be organized to locate the remains of any deceased hostages that Hamas may have difficulty finding.
Information about Palestinian Prisoner Release
As part of the peace deal, Israel is set to release 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since October 7, 2023, alongside 22 Palestinian minors and the remains of 360 militants.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that once the hostages are returned, military operations will focus on demolishing underground Hamas tunnels in Gaza. Many returning Palestinians from northern Gaza have shared haunting accounts of extensive devastation.
Authorities have warned that the area might still harbor unexploded ordnance and bomb remnants, posing threats to the returning population.
Source: Reuters
