Hamas and Israel Move Toward Landmark Hostage-Prisoner Exchange Under US-Brokered Peace Deal

In a historic and emotionally charged turn of events, Hamas and Israel are preparing for a major hostage-prisoner exchange, marking what many hope to be the beginning of a new era of peace in the region. Under a US-brokered agreement, Hamas is expected to release all surviving hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The deal coincides with US President Donald Trump’s surprise visit to the Middle East, where he aims to formally declare the Gaza war “over” and push forward his newly unveiled 20-point peace roadmap. Trump’s trip — spanning Israel and Egypt — is being described by officials as a “celebration of peace,” though challenges remain as both sides finalize sensitive details of the exchange.

According to Israeli government sources, 20 surviving hostages are expected to be released to the Red Cross by early Monday morning. Meanwhile, Hamas has completed preparations to hand over all living hostages, along with the remains of those killed since their abduction on October 7, 2023, the day that ignited the brutal conflict that claimed more than 1,200 Israeli lives.

Among those being released by Israel, 250 are security detainees, some convicted of deadly attacks, while around 1,700 were detained during the war. The inclusion of seven senior Palestinian figures remains a point of contention, though negotiators are working tirelessly to finalize the list.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed optimism that the ceasefire will hold, saying, “I think it’s going to hold. People are tired of it. It’s been centuries.” He added emphatically, “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?”

In Jerusalem, Trump is expected to meet families of former hostages, address the Israeli Knesset, and later travel to Egypt for a global peace summit co-hosted with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, gathering over 20 world leaders to endorse the peace initiative.

Under Trump’s plan, a US-led multinational force will oversee Gaza following a partial Israeli withdrawal, with the goal of establishing a new governing authority in the war-torn region. While the path forward remains uncertain — with Hamas’s disarmament and Israel’s commitments still under scrutiny — Trump maintains confidence in the process, remarking, “I don’t think they’re going to want to disappoint me.”

According to UN-verified data, more than 67,800 people have died in Gaza since the conflict began, with over half being women and children. The numbers underscore the immense human cost of the war — and the weight of what’s at stake in the fragile peace to come.

In moments like these, the world pauses — not just to witness history, but to remember the human lives that define it. The cries of mothers, the prayers of families, the hope for safety, and the longing for normalcy — they echo louder than politics. Peace isn’t just a deal between leaders. It’s a promise between people.