Hostage Families Celebrate as First releases Begin Under Gaza Ceasefire
GAZA/ISRAEL – A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding, bringing a momentary silence to the Gaza Strip after months of intense conflict and triggering the first releases of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The pause in fighting, which began today, has allowed a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza - at a rate of 600 trucks daily – and initiated the return of thousands of Palestinians to the territory’s devastated north.
The initial phase of the deal will see the release of 20 living and 28 deceased hostages held by Hamas, overseen in part by approximately 200 American soldiers. In exchange, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli prisons, including 250 serving life sentences. hostages began arriving in Israel yesterday.
Speaking at an event attended by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, a leader honored the families of the hostages, stating, “From the bottom of our hearts, we honour the families of the hostages. You courage has moved the world and has touched me in ways that I have never been touched before in my entire life.” He announced that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were scheduled to address the crowd and delivered a message to the hostages: “You are coming home. Your faces, your names your stories. Your endurance, your faith and your will to live have been symbols of the human spirit.”
The conflict, sparked by the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel which resulted in 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 people taken captive, has claimed at least 67,211 lives and injured 169,961 in Gaza since then.
While the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, UNRWA is urging the opening of all crossings into Gaza, stating that 6,000 aid trucks are poised to deliver critical supplies within hours. The sound of drones, warplanes, and Apache helicopters remains a constant presence, a stark reminder of the conflict’s recent intensity.
