Hamas Releases Hostages as Trump Declares Gaza War Over Despite Ongoing Israeli Occupation and Violence

Gaza Conflict Ceasefire Update

President Donald Trump declared that the war in Gaza is "over" as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took hold and Hamas prepared to release Israeli captives. Trump made the declaration while en route to Israel, saying he believes the truce will hold. The Gaza health ministry’s count—widely cited internationally—records at least 67,806 Palestinians killed and 170,066 wounded, mostly civilians including many women and children.

An Indian outlet reports a UN body has described the situation as genocide. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s military campaign continues despite imminent hostage releases, signaling that Israeli occupation and military operations are not ending with the truce.

Local reporting notes that more than 500,000 Palestinians have begun returning to devastated areas under the ceasefire. Initial hostage handovers are expected via the Red Cross early Monday.

Reporting for this sectionThe GuardianCBS NewsChina Daily - Global EditionLe ParisienThe Indian Express

Hostage and Prisoner Exchange Details

Details of the hostage-prisoner exchange vary across outlets. Several report that Hamas will free 20 living hostages and return bodies of the dead, while Israel releases large numbers of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Kuwait Times lists 20 living hostages and 28 bodies in exchange for 1,700 prisoners and 22 minors.

Neos Kosmos echoes 20 living hostages and 28 bodies but cites 250 prisoners serving serious crimes, 1,700 detainees, 22 minors, and 360 bodies returned. Times of Malta describes 48 Israeli hostages swapped for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans.

Haaretz reports Israel reducing the release list to 1,718 and removing minors, contradicting accounts that minors are included. DIE ZEIT and Gulf News detail the handover mechanics: the initial transfer to the Red Cross, and Israel insisting Palestinian prisoners will only be freed after all 20 living hostages are safely back.

Reporting for this sectionKuwait TimesNeos KosmosTimes of MaltaHaaretzGulf NewsDIE ZEIT

Aid and Conditions in Gaza

On the ground, Palestinians are returning to shattered neighborhoods while aid enters in fits and starts under Israeli inspection, and hunger drives desperate scenes. The Straits Times describes starving residents in Khan Yunis ransacking food shipments amid deep mistrust. The Globe and Mail notes police affiliated with Hamas managing aid deliveries as hundreds of trucks enter despite Israeli inspections.

France 24 and Al Jazeera report agencies pushing supplies in but urging Israel to allow far more. CNN en Español cites a UN assessment that over 90% of Gaza’s schools are destroyed or badly damaged.

German public broadcaster tagesschau.de reports plans for up to 600 aid trucks daily and a potential partial reopening of Rafah for pedestrians. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are returning to the north.

Reporting for this sectionThe Straits TimesThe Globe and MailFrance 24Al JazeeraCNN en Españoltagesschau.de

Ongoing Conflict and Casualties

Despite the ceasefire, Israel maintains occupation and continues coercive actions and military operations. China Daily - Global Edition reports Netanyahu insisting the campaign is not over. ITVX says Israel will maintain a military presence along Gaza’s border while an international force polices inside Gaza.

UPI documents Israel detaining Palestinian farmers in the West Bank and reports the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL condemned an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon that injured a peacekeeper, calling it a serious violation of UN resolution 1701. WTOP reports that Israel is demanding Hamas disarm while Hamas demands Israeli troop withdrawal. Anadolu Ajansı and The Guardian tally more than 67,600 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children—figures cited by the UN and independent experts—evidence of Israeli forces’ mass killing in Gaza that some have labeled genocide.

Reporting for this sectionChina Daily - Global EditionITVXupiWTOPAnadolu AjansıThe Guardian

Diplomatic Efforts in Middle East

Diplomacy is accelerating under U.S., Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediation, but accounts diverge on participation and priorities. NBC News describes Trump traveling to Israel and Egypt with a 20-point plan to disarm Hamas and set up a transitional government. France 24 outlines a Sharm el-Sheikh summit with world leaders to formalize the ceasefire and free around 2,000 Palestinian detainees, noting not all deceased hostages will be returned immediately.

TRT World reports mediators will sign a guarantee document without Hamas or Israel attending. Türkiye Today says Netanyahu’s participation is unclear and Hamas has refused to attend.

United News of Bangladesh and ABNA English report three Qatari diplomats died en route to the summit, underscoring the risks around these talks. NPR adds that U.S.- and Israel-backed food distribution sites were dismantled after deadly incidents involving Israeli gunfire, even as preparations for releases proceed.

Reporting for this sectionNBC NewsFrance 24TRT WorldTürkiye TodayUnited News of BangladeshABNA EnglishNPR