Israel–Hamas truce: Donald Trump says “the war is over” as first hostages return to Israel

Tel Aviv / Gaza / Sharm el-Sheikh  

In Summary

• The first Seven Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas and have arrived back in Israel as part of a wider ceasefire-mediated exchange; a total of 20 living hostages were due to be released, alongside the eventual handover of 28 deceased hostages. (AP News)
• Under the deal, Israel will free hundreds and then thousands of Palestinian detainees — including roughly 250 long-term prisoners and around 1,700 Gaza detainees — in phased releases tied to the hostage returns and ceasefire terms. (Reuters)
• U.S. President Donald Trump, arriving in Israel to mark the moment and address the Knesset, publicly declared “the war is over,” while international leaders hailed the exchange as a major de-escalation step even as core political and security questions remain unresolved. (The Guardian)

Credits: REUTERS: 

Joy and relief swept parts of Israel on Monday after the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that seven Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas had reached Israeli custody. The handovers — supervised by the International Committee of the Red Cross: marked the first group in a planned release of 20 living hostages and the transfer of dozens of bodies held in Gaza. Families gathered at reception points, and Hostages Square erupted into cheers as reunions began. (AP News)

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The exchange forms part of a broader ceasefire framework negotiated with the involvement of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and other mediators.
Under the terms announced by officials, Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners in the initial stage, alongside further humanitarian releases that could bring the total number of detainees freed to roughly 1,950 across all phases. Some prisoners will be deported or relocated to Gaza or East Jerusalem, while names demanded by Hamas were excluded from published lists, complicating final talks. (Reuters)

Credits: REUTERS :U.S. President Donald Trump Received by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

U.S. President Donald Trump who flew into Ben Gurion Airport on Monday to attend an address at the Knesset and later join a regional summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, told reporters en route that “the war is over.” The statement, widely reported in international media, captured U.S. optimism about the ceasefire’s potential to halt hostilities.
However, analysts and several officials warned that the remark does not resolve the underlying political and humanitarian crises left by two years of fighting. (The Guardian)

The statement captures U.S. optimism about the ceasefire’s immediate impact, but analysts and some officials warned that the declaration does not resolve the deep political and humanitarian challenges left by two years of fighting. (The Guardian)

Key reactions and messages

Families and civil society:

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described the return of the seven as “not a personal victory but a victory of an entire people,” while vowing to continue campaigning until every captive and body is returned. Families at reception points expressed relief after nearly two years of captivity for some of the released hostages. (AP News)

United States:

The White House delegation framed the exchange as a diplomatic milestone. Trump’s visit signalled strong U.S. backing for the mediated deal, with envoys emphasizing the need to turn the truce into durable relief and reconstruction support. (The Guardian)

Israel:

Israeli officials welcomed the returns but underscored ongoing security concerns. Defense leaders said limited military operations against Hamas infrastructure could continue even as humanitarian and diplomatic efforts advance. (Reuters)

Palestinians and regional stakeholders: 

Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank awaited the release of detainees with mixed emotions: hope for families, but concern over Gaza’s devastation and uncertainty about postwar governance. Regional leaders are preparing to discuss reconstruction, security guarantees, and a phased roadmap at the upcoming Sharm el-Sheikh summit. (Al Jazeera)

What this means now

The swap and ceasefire open a narrow political window for humanitarian access, reconstruction aid, and relief for affected families.
Still, the deal leaves major issues unresolved: the future governance of Gaza, the fate of senior Hamas figures sought by Israel, and how to anchor a durable security framework acceptable to both sides.
Observers caution that the ceasefire’s success will depend on consistent follow-through by mediators, guarantees on aid corridors, and agreements on demilitarization measures — details expected to be negotiated in Egypt. (Reuters)

Notable quotes

Donald Trump (U.S. President):

“The war is over.” (The Guardian)
Hostages and Missing Families Forum:

“After more than 700 long, painful and agonising days… this is not a personal victory but a victory of an entire people.” (AP New)
Israeli military statement:

the Red Cross was “on its way to a meeting point in southern Gaza where several hostages will be handed over.” (Al Jazeera)

Background (fast facts)

• The hostages were taken during the 7 October 2023 attacks in southern Israel; families have campaigned continuously for their return. (AP News)
• The broader exchange includes the return of 28 deceased hostages and the phased release or transfer of about 1,950 Palestinian detainees, according to media and official sources. (AP News)
• This exchange reshapes immediate humanitarian prospects in Gaza, alters regional diplomatic dynamics, and tests new frameworks for reconstruction and security. Leaders gathering in Egypt will face pressure to turn the truce into a sustainable peace process.

Sources & further reading

(Selected reporting used to compile this article: Reuters, AP, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, BBC live coverage.) (Reuters)

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