The transfer of 48 Israeli hostages from Gaza to the International Committee of the Red Cross has begun, marking a significant development in the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas. 

According to officials, only 20 of those hostages are believed to be alive.

The Red Cross will facilitate the handover, with Israeli military personnel receiving the captives at designated entry points. 

The hostages were taken during the coordinated Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and have since been held in undisclosed locations within the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has publicly released a list of names identifying those being freed. The exchange is part of a broader agreement under which Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 additional detainees held in its custody.

In Tel Aviv, large crowds have assembled in Hostages Square awaiting confirmation of the releases. “Today, all Israelis are together,” said one demonstrator, as chants and signs calling for unity and justice filled the area.

The unfolding operation comes ahead of a high-profile visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to arrive in Israel later this morning. From there, he is scheduled to travel to Egypt, where approximately 20 world leaders are convening to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire and reconciliation framework.

Speaking en route to the region, Trump declared that "the war is over" in Gaza — a statement met with both hope and caution, as officials stress that further stages of the Israel-Hamas deal remain unresolved and are still under negotiation.

The current hostage exchange is the most significant gesture since the devastating escalation of violence last year, and is widely seen as a potential turning point in efforts to stabilize the territory and open pathways to broader diplomatic dialogue.

Source: BBC

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