All 20 Israeli Hostages Freed as Gaza Ceasefire Holds; Trump in Egypt for Summit

In a dramatic turn after more than two years of war, all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages held in Gaza were released Monday as part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal.

Emotional scenes unfolded in Israel as families greeted freed captives and medical teams took several for urgent care. Hamas also agreed to hand over the remains of some deceased captives, though not all remains have yet been returned.

The ceasefire package includes the release by Israel of roughly 1,900 Palestinian detainees, the return of humanitarian access to Gaza with plans to allow a large convoy flow into the Strip, and international arrangements intended to stabilize the enclave.

The agreement was negotiated with heavy involvement from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey and marks a major pause in fighting that devastated Gaza and inflicted heavy casualties on both sides.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who played a central diplomatic role in brokering the deal, flew first to Jerusalem, where he addressed Israel’s parliament, and then departed for Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt to co-chair a major summit aimed at consolidating the truce and mapping a roadmap for reconstruction, security, and a political process.

The summit brings together more than 20 world leaders and senior officials to discuss the enforcement of the ceasefire, humanitarian access, reconstruction funding, and long-term security arrangements for Gaza.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is co-chairing the gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh. Israel and Hamas are not formal participants in the Egypt summit; Israeli attendance at the summit is limited, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would not attend the meeting in person. Palestinian Authority representation and the broader question of Gaza governance remain unresolved and were expected to be focal points of debate.

While the ceasefire prompted scenes of joy in parts of Israel and pockets of celebration in the West Bank, it also exposed unresolved pain: dozens of Israeli captives remain listed as deceased or unaccounted for, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza — including high civilian casualties and massive destruction will require large-scale reconstruction and sustained aid. International teams and specialized task forces are expected to work on locating missing remains and facilitating family reunifications.

Leaders at the summit face several urgent priorities: ensuring sustained, safe humanitarian access into Gaza; arranging funding and oversight for rebuilding essential infrastructure; establishing security guarantees to prevent a swift return to hostilities; and negotiating a political framework for Gaza’s future governance that would include measures to disarm militant groups.

The coming days of diplomacy in Egypt will test whether the ceasefire can be converted into a durable peace and relief for civilians across the region.

Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, CBS News