Hamas Frees Initial Batch of Israeli Hostages in First Phase of Trump-Brokered Gaza Ceasefire

In the latest development towards "ending" the protracted Israel-Hamas conflict, the Palestinian militant group Hamas released seven surviving Israeli hostages on Monday, initiating the first phase of a ceasefire agreement facilitated by United States President Donald Trump.

This move has brought a glimmer of hope to families separated for nearly two years, even as the road to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in an official statement that the freed individuals were transferred to the custody of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, where they underwent initial medical checks before being transported to Israel for reunions with their loved ones. Among them were Gali and Ziv Berman, siblings who had been held since the October 7, 2023, assault, and Guy Gilboa Dalal, a festival-goer kidnapped during the Nova music event near the Gaza border.

A subsequent handover is anticipated shortly, involving 13 more living hostages and the remains of 28 others—comprising 26 confirmed deceased and two whose fates are still unclear. This phased release forms the core of the truce, which mandates the prompt repatriation of all captives in exchange for concessions from Israel.

Under the terms of the deal, Israel is set to liberate approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees later on the same day, including long-term inmates and those arrested amid the conflict. This reciprocal action is viewed as a critical confidence-building measure, though it has drawn mixed reactions from hardliners on both sides.

The breakthrough comes ahead of a crucial summit in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where over 20 global leaders, including President Trump, are convening today for high-level discussions. The talks are poised to address not only the immediate truce but also the reconstruction of Gaza's war-ravaged infrastructure and the establishment of a sustainable governance framework, free from Hamas's influence.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, speaking to CNBC on Sunday, praised Trump's involvement as a genuine push for resolution. "The US President is truly committed to attaining peace," al-Sudani remarked, describing the initiative as "vital" and expressing optimism that the ceasefire could evolve into a "durable framework and the foundation for a comprehensive resolution to this crisis."

He underscored the Palestinian question as the "fundamental source of instability in the Middle East," urging a return to multilateral dialogue and adherence to global norms and pacts. "It is high time we pursued answers via conversation and reverence for international bodies and treaties," al-Sudani told interviewer Dan Murphy.

Al-Sudani's remarks follow the devastating two-year war ignited by Hamas's October 7, 2023, incursion into Israel, which claimed around 1,200 lives and led to the abduction of hundreds. Israel's retaliatory campaign has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian fatalities, including a significant number of civilians, as per Gaza's Health Ministry data. The Iraqi leader highlighted the dire humanitarian toll, noting that Gaza's residents endure relentless airstrikes alongside acute shortages of food, water, and essential supplies.

"Iraq, a nation scarred by endless conflicts, stands in solidarity with every non-violent path to halt this bloodshed," he affirmed. "We remain acutely aware of the sufferings inflicted on civilian populations worldwide."

As President Trump landed in Israel earlier amid the hostage handover, celebrations erupted in Tel Aviv and parts of Gaza, though uncertainties linger over Gaza's post-war administration, Hamas's disarmament, and the full Israeli troop withdrawal. With all living hostages now reportedly freed following the second batch's release, as confirmed by Hamas and Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the focus shifts to the summit's outcomes and the fragile hope for enduring stability in the region.