Agency reports
A total of 48 Hamas captives are set to be released, with 20 thought to be alive. Israel is set to free over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in return.
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Hamas has released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross on Monday morning, the first to be released as part of the ceasefire agreed to end the Israel-Hamas war.
The deal involves the exchange of the last 48 hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, 20 of whom are thought to be alive. Over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners are to be released by Israel.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump landed in Israel on Monday before addressing the Knesset, the country’s parliament.
He will later head to Egypt to meet with other world leaders and discuss the US-proposed deal, which resulted in a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas praised US President Donald Trump for the hostage release, saying on X he “made this breakthrough possible.”
She also welcomed the release of the first group of seven hostages held by Hamas, stating it was a “major success for democracy” and a “crucial milestone towards peace.”
US President Donald Trump is on his way to Jerusalem together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara.
There, Trump will address the Knesset. Trump is travelling in his armoured vehicle known as The Beast.
Trump’s daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff all met with the US president after he landed in Israel on Monday.