Guwahati: A historic moment is unfolding across Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank as both sides prepare for a hostage-prisoner exchange under a US-brokered ceasefire, with US President Donald Trump declaring that the long war is finally “over.”
“The war is over, you understand that. This is going to be a very special time. Everybody’s cheering at one time — that’s never happened before,” Trump said before departing for the Middle East to celebrate the truce. He added, “Everybody is happy — Jews, Muslims, Arabs — all unified for the first time. We’re going to Egypt after Israel to meet leaders from powerful and rich countries, and they’re all supporting this deal.”
The ceasefire agreement, marking the end of a two-year war that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel killing 1,200 people, has already been hailed as a breakthrough. The conflict has since claimed over 66,000 lives, most of them civilians, and devastated much of Gaza, where famine has taken hold due to aid restrictions.
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According to sources, Hamas will release around 20 surviving hostages in three batches today under International Red Cross supervision. Israel has meanwhile published a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans to be released. However, Israeli officials cautioned that not all deceased hostages will be returned immediately.
Trump’s 20-point peace plan includes ending hostilities, Israel’s phased withdrawal, mutual prisoner releases, humanitarian recovery, and preventing Palestinian displacement. The former president will visit Israel and Egypt for a two-day trip, culminating in a regional summit at Sharm el-Sheikh with over 20 nations to consolidate peace efforts.
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While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attendance remains unconfirmed, Hamas has declined to join, citing its reliance on Qatari and Egyptian mediation during negotiations.
