The first batch of seven hostages released by Hamas has returned to Israel, the military said, as President Trump landed in Israel ahead of his address in the country’s parliament.
The next phase of the hostage release is now under way.
The full release of 20 captives is a requirement of the current cease-fire and a step that could push forward Trump’s broader proposal to end the war and rebuild the enclave.
Following the release, Israel and Hamas are expected to begin negotiating a peace deal that would force the U.S.-designated terrorist group to disarm and give up power in Gaza.
Here’s what else to know:
The hostages were among about 251 people kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, when the group launched an assault on Israel that left around 1,200 people killed.
The bodies of around 28 hostages who have died are to be handed over later in what could be a drawn-out process.
Once all the hostages are returned, Israel is expected to release 250 Palestinians in Israeli prisons and 1,700 who have been detained in Gaza.
A cease-fire in Gaza went into effect Friday and aid has resumed flowing into the enclave.
A host of details need to be resolved in a subsequent phase of the agreement, including how the Gaza enclave is to be governed.
“The war is over,” President Trump said as he traveled to the region to address Israel’s parliament Monday. He is then set to attend a summit in Egypt aimed at spurring momentum for the broader plan.
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