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Hostage Swaps and Ceasefire Drive Fragile Gaza Peace Push as Trump Hails “Historic Day”

Trump hails a “historic day” after Egypt summit as partial hostage returns, mass prisoner releases, internal Gaza violence, and UN warnings on $70bn reconstruction underscore fragile peace
Image; Israel Defense Forces

A flurry of developments has followed the ceasefire deal for Gaza, with limited hostage returns, mass prisoner releases and duelling narratives about next steps, even as President Donald Trump touts «peace in the Middle East» after a leaders’ summit in Egypt.

Key points

  • Ceasefire diplomacy: Trump signed the «Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity» in Sharm el-Sheikh with Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, calling the day «historic» and predicting a «golden age» for the region.
  • What’s next for Gaza: Trump says talks are underway on the remaining items of his 20-point plan, including Gaza demilitarisation and a transitional technocrat authority, though major questions remain over Hamas’s future, the scope of Israeli withdrawal and governance.
  • Hostage & detainee exchanges:
    • 20 Israeli hostages were released and reunited with families; the ICRC oversaw handovers inside Gaza.
    • Hamas returned the remains of four deceased hostages; Israel says identities of two (Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi) are confirmed, with two pending. Families are angered that 24 sets of remains are still unaccounted for.
    • Israel freed about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, greeted by large crowds in Gaza and the West Bank.
  • Allegations of abuse: Returning Palestinian prisoners report mistreatment in Israeli custody; Israel rejects claims of systematic abuse, though its top court recently flagged inadequate food provisions.
  • Internal Gaza violence: BBC Verify authenticated footage of public executions by Hamas gunmen in Gaza City, deepening fear and raising concerns of score-settling amid recent armed clashes with local clans.
  • Aid and reconstruction hurdles: UN agencies warn of immense obstacles—unexploded ordnance, collapsed utilities and healthcare. UNDP estimates 80%+ of buildings damaged or destroyed (92% in Gaza City) and at least 55m tonnes of rubble to clear; early reconstruction costs are put at ~$70bn.
  • Humanitarian tempo: UNICEF and ICRC say aid flows have increased since the truce but remain stop-start due to closed crossings and security checks; agencies call it a «race against the clock.»
  • Political friction: In Israel’s Knesset, Trump was briefly interrupted during a speech. Hostage families and campaigners insist Gaza’s rebuilding must wait until all deceased hostages are recovered.
  • Uncertain endgame: Analysts caution that, despite the optics, the core disputes—statehood, security architecture, and governance—still require difficult negotiations with no guaranteed timeline.

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