Israel-Gaza Ceasefire: Hostage Release, Prisoner Exchange and Humanitarian Aid Set to Begin

The ceasefire and release of hostages represents the initial phase in the proposed peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Across Israel, Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, anticipation grew on Sunday as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remained intact before a pivotal day for all parties involved and the broader region.

Preparations were seemingly underway for the liberation of 48 hostages—both living and deceased—still held in Gaza, alongside the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Enhanced humanitarian aid was being prepared for Gaza, which lies mostly in ruins following two years of conflict that began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and around 250 people taken hostage. Israel's subsequent military response has led to more than 67,600 Palestinian fatalities in Gaza, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

US President Donald Trump was expected to arrive in Israel on Monday for a brief visit before proceeding to Egypt.

Current information and remaining uncertainties:

Sunday marked 737 days since the hostages were captured—a figure many Israelis have tracked daily on adhesive tape worn as part of national commemoration efforts.

Israeli authorities announced Sunday they anticipate the 20 living hostages will be released collectively on Monday. These individuals would then be transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross and subsequently to the Israeli military, which planned to transport them to the Reim military base in southern Israel for family reunifications.

Israel then intended to move the hostages to various centers throughout the country but requested the Red Cross to have ambulances prepared in case any hostage requires immediate medical attention after over two years in captivity.

It seemed unlikely that the remains of up to 28 others would be returned simultaneously. Medical experts and advocates emphasize that returning remains would be essential for initiating the healing process for numerous families and broader society, though one ceasefire document contains provisions for remains not returned within 72 hours.

On Sunday, Israel indicated that "an international body" would assist in locating remains if they are not released the following day.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel is scheduled to release approximately 2,000 Palestinians. This includes around 1,700 individuals that Israeli forces detained from Gaza during the war and have held without formal charges.

The release group also includes about 250 Palestinians serving prison sentences.

Many are Hamas and Fatah faction members imprisoned for shootings, bombings, or other attacks that killed or attempted to kill Israelis, as well as others convicted on lesser charges. They will return to the West Bank or Gaza or face exile.

It remains unclear which prisoners will be released back into Gaza and whether any will face deportation.

Humanitarian organizations indicated they are preparing to increase aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, particularly food supplies that have been scarce in many areas.

This includes approximately 400 trucks from Egypt on Sunday that must undergo Israeli inspection before entering the territory. The Israeli defense body responsible for humanitarian aid in Gaza stated that around 600 aid trucks daily would soon be entering, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

The world's leading authority on food crises reported in August that Gaza's largest city was experiencing famine conditions likely to spread across the territory without a ceasefire and removal of humanitarian aid restrictions.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification stated that famine was devastating Gaza City—home to hundreds of thousands of people. This famine was projected to spread southward to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis cities by around this time if conditions remained unchanged.

The broader challenge of rebuilding Gaza remains formidable, with much of the territory reduced to rubble and most of its two million residents displaced.

Trump, who advocated for finalizing the ceasefire agreement, is scheduled to arrive in Israel Monday morning.

A large US flag adorned a building in Jerusalem's City Hall complex, while US and Israeli flags were projected onto the Old City's walls Saturday night.

According to the White House schedule, Trump will meet with families of hostages and address the Knesset, Israel's parliament, before traveling to Egypt for a "peace summit" attended by regional and international leaders later Monday. He is then expected to return to the White House, arriving overnight Tuesday.

The ceasefire and hostage release constitute the first step in the proposed peace plan. Competing demands persist regarding next steps, creating uncertainty about whether the conflict has truly concluded.

Israel demands Hamas disarmament, while Hamas insists on complete Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. The future governance of Gaza, under Hamas control for two decades, also remains unresolved.

Gaza's Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but reports that approximately half of the 67,600 fatalities were women and children. The ministry operates under the Hamas-run government, though the UN and many independent experts consider its figures the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.