Israel Releases Hostages and Palestinian Prisoners to Cement Ceasefire Under US Pressure

Under a US-brokered ceasefire, Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel freed nearly 2,000 mostly Palestinian prisoners.

The US, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye signed a declaration in Sharm el‑Sheikh to enforce the truce and coordinate Gaza’s next steps.

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Former US President Donald Trump declared a “historic dawn of a new Middle East.”

Multiple outlets confirm Israel and Hamas did not directly attend the signing even as the deal is described as between them.

Netanyahu did not attend, with reports attributing his absence to a Jewish holiday and diplomatic pressure.

The agreement’s first phase pairs hostage-prisoner exchanges with steps like partial Israeli troop withdrawals and opening aid crossings.

US pressure influenced the timetable and enforcement of the ceasefire deal.

Western outlet Straight Arrow News reports that Trump set deadlines for Hamas to accept a 20-point plan and warned of serious consequences if it refused.

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The BBC states that the first phase involves swapping 20 living hostages for Israel releasing 250 prisoners plus over 1,700 detainees and establishing a board to oversee peace in Gaza.

Regional coverage highlights Trump's leverage and recognition.

DW and Antena 3 note that Egypt awarded Trump its highest civilian honor.

Anadolu Ajansı quotes NATO’s secretary general praising Türkiye, the US, Egypt, and Qatar for securing the truce.

News18 connects the ceasefire to Trump’s broader 20-point blueprint and emphasizes his claim of a durable, enforceable agreement.

The exchange is clear on freeing the living but conflicted on the dead.

“At an event where attendees wore red caps reading "Trump the Peace President," former President Trump was praised by the parliamentary speaker as highly deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize”

BBC

Western mainstream outlets The Times and ABC report that Hamas returned only four bodies and still withholds the rest, prompting Israeli condemnation.

L’Express also states that four bodies were handed over while 24 are still held.

By contrast, NDTV and The Daily Star report that Hamas is set to return 27 bodies and a soldier’s remains from 2014, with Israel not expecting all remains immediately.

Antena 3 echoes families’ anger that only four of 28 bodies have been returned.

The Red Cross has facilitated transfers as part of the US-brokered deal.

The ceasefire follows two years in which Israel’s military killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza through bombardment and siege.

Multiple outlets cite Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting nearly 68,000 Palestinians killed, many women and children, and DW labels Gaza a “man-made disaster.”

Qatar Tribune

The mediators’ plan includes opening aid crossings, partial Israeli withdrawals from cities, and a reconstruction drive that Egypt and partners say could exceed $53 billion.

Le Devoir and Ecuavisa add Israel has begun a partial pullback while still controlling roughly half of Gaza.

These steps do not erase the mass death and destruction caused by Israel’s campaign, but they enable aid deliveries and a framework for rebuilding.

On the ground, families on both sides marked painful homecomings and political rifts deepened.

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The Times reports that Israeli authorities advised families not to hold mass celebrations.

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Meanwhile, Cyprus Mail describes thousands in Khan Younis welcoming freed Palestinians amid an armed militant presence.

Relatives of hostages and groups like the Hostages Families Forum accuse the militant group of violating the deal by returning only four of 28 bodies.

Western mainstream outlet CBC calls the agreement a “negative peace,” halting killing for now but avoiding core issues like settlements and Palestinian statehood.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Israel rejected Palestinian Authority involvement in Gaza governance.

WION and The i Paper detail Prime Minister Netanyahu’s absence, reportedly due to regional pressure.

Scenes in the Knesset also turned confrontational, with lawmakers removed for “Recognize Palestine” protests during former President Trump’s speech.