Hamas Releases Seven Living Hostages to the Red Cross

The Hamas movement handed over seven living Israeli hostages to the Red Cross on Monday morning, part of the twenty still alive held in Gaza, which they plan to release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, just hours before a peace summit in Egypt attended by Donald Trump.

Upon the announcement of these initial releases, which have been awaited by the entire nation for two years, thousands of people gathered in the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and rejoiced.

"We were waiting for this moment, but there is still sadness for those who are not coming home and for the nearly 2,000 deaths from the war; two years of madness are coming to an end... But it is a beautiful day, the one we have been waiting for two years," Ronny Edry, a 54-year-old teacher, told AFP.

The armed wing of Hamas had previously released a list containing the names of the 20 living hostages they were preparing to free that day.

The seven released hostages, on the fourth day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, had been taken hostage on October 7, 2023, during a bloody attack by the Palestinian movement on Israeli soil, which led to a devastating Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

After being handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, they were to be transferred to soldiers and members of the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, "inside the Gaza Strip" before returning to Israel.

In the Hostages Square, dozens of people began gathering before dawn around a screen displaying portraits of the hostages to follow the initial releases live.

Some had serious expressions, others smiled, and many embraced as the song "Habayta" ("Home" in Hebrew) played on repeat through the speakers.

"Welcome home," stated the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs as they welcomed the seven former hostages.

For French President Emmanuel Macron, "peace becomes possible for Israel, for Gaza, and for the region."

The first step of the plan presented by the American president to silence the guns after two years of war is the return to Israel of the 48 hostages, whether alive or dead, which should be accompanied by Israel's release of 250 prisoners for "security reasons," many of whom are convicted for deadly anti-Israeli attacks, as well as 1,700 Palestinians arrested in Gaza since October 2023.

According to the spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an "international body," as outlined in the American plan, will help locate the remains of deceased hostages who were not released on Monday.

• "The war is over" -

According to sources close to the negotiations, Hamas continues to demand the release of Palestinian leaders in exchange.

Israel has warned that the Palestinian detainees, who have been transferred to two specific prisons, will only be released after confirmation that the hostages have been returned.

Donald Trump is expected in Israel at 06:20 GMT. After a meeting with Mr. Netanyahu, he will address Parliament and meet with relatives of hostages.

"The war is over. Okay? Do you understand that?" said the American president as he left the United States.

Meanwhile, Mr. Netanyahu stated that Israel had achieved "immense victories, victories that have stunned the entire world." "I must tell you that the struggle is not over," he added in a televised address.

• Peace Summit -

After his brief stay in Israel, Mr. Trump will travel to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to co-chair a "peace summit" for Gaza with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, alongside leaders from over 20 countries and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The mediating countries of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza are expected to sign a document ensuring its implementation, according to a diplomatic source, which noted that these countries will include the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and likely Turkey.

No Israeli officials will make the trip, nor will Hamas. Iran, a long-time supporter of Hamas, has been invited but will not participate either.

Alongside the gradual withdrawal already initiated by the Israeli army, which retains control of 53% of the Gaza Strip, the American plan envisions a subsequent phase where Hamas will be excluded from governing the territory, which it has ruled since 2007, and its arsenal will be destroyed.

According to the American plan, the government would be entrusted to "a non-political technocratic Palestinian committee" placed "under the supervision and control of a new international transitional body" led by Mr. Trump.

AFP