Gaza Ceasefire Live: First Israeli Hostages Handed Over, Trump Set to Visit Israel

Hamas handed over the first batch of seven Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday, marking the initial release under the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Crowds cheered in Tel Aviv as the truce held for a fourth day.

Hamas has indicated a total of 20 living hostages will be exchanged for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The remaining 13 hostages are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross in the coming hours. The condition of the released hostages has not yet been updated.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the seven hostages “are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip” and added that preparations are underway to receive the rest of the hostages. The fate of up to 28 deceased hostages remains unclear; international authorities may assist in locating and returning the remains if they are not released immediately.

Palestinian Prisoner Releases

As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel plans to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including:

• Roughly 1,700 individuals detained from Gaza during the conflict without formal charges.

• Approximately 250 Palestinians convicted of attacks that killed or injured Israelis.

Trump to Visit Israel and Egypt

US President Donald Trump, who played a key role in brokering the ceasefire, is set to arrive in Israel on Monday. He will meet with families of hostages and address the Knesset before traveling to Egypt for a regional peace summit. Trump is expected to return to Washington overnight Tuesday.

What to Expect Next

1. Hamas to hand over the remaining 13 hostages to the Red Cross.

2. The remains of up to 28 deceased hostages may not be returned immediately.

3. Israel to release around 2,000 Palestinian detainees under ceasefire terms.

4. Humanitarian aid ramps up: hundreds of trucks are set to enter Gaza from Egypt, with the daily number expected to reach 600 trucks under the deal.

5. Trump’s visit will focus on hostages’ families and diplomatic talks at the Knesset before he departs for Egypt.

The coming 24 hours are pivotal for the fragile ceasefire, as both sides navigate complex hostage exchanges and humanitarian operations.