The final Israeli hostages are set to be returned from Gaza today as the first phase of the peace agreement brokered by President Donald Trump gets underway.
The captives have been held by Hamas militants since October 7, 2023, when the terror group launched a brutal attack in southern Israel, massacring more than 1,200 people and abducting a further 251.
Since then, Israel launched a devastating retaliatory military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which Hamas claims has killed an estimated 68,000 people.
The politically-supercharged war which followed has sparked protests around the world – including on the streets of Western capitals, several of whose governments have gone on to recognise a Palestinian state.
In exchange for the return of the captives, an estimated 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israel are set to be freed, alongside a further 1,700 Gazans who were detained by Israeli authorities.
Some of the prisoners due to be released include high-profile figures convicted of involvement deadly terror attacks against Israeli citizens, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat.
Out of the 48 hostages still being held, only 20 are believed to be alive.
Mr Trump announced on Wednesday that a ceasefire agreement had been made between Israel and Hamas, which saw fighting grind to a halt on Friday and more aid pour into Gaza over the weekend.
This step is just the first phase of the President’s 20-point peace plan, with negotiations over the next steps set to take place in the near future.
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Israel shows off its biggest scalps after two years of fighting
PICTURED: Security officials stand guard outside the Israeli military prison, Ofer
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REUTERS
Israel has unfurled posters boasting of the country’s biggest scalps in its two-year war against Hamas.
Among the mugshots of the dead include Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah (killed in September 2024), Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (killed in July 2024) and his successor Yahya Sinwar (killed in October 2024).
Red Cross vehicles in position ahead of 6am hostage release
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REUTERS
WATCH LIVE: Views from Gaza City and Tel Aviv ahead of hostage release
You can follow our live stream from Gaza City ahead of this morning’s hostage release on GBN 2 LIVE HERE.
You can also follow our live strweam from Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, where expectant crowds are gathered, at the video player at the top of this page.
We’re expecting the first hostages to be released from 6am – and you can follow our live blog for updates as and when we get them.
Keir Starmer to declare ‘phase 2’ in Gaza – but Middle East trip overshadowed by minister’s ‘delusional’ peace claims
Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce Britain’s role in the second phase of rebuilding Gaza during his trip to the Middle East – which has already been overshadowed by a backlash to his own ministers’ claims.
The Prime Minister will be in attendance at the “signing ceremony” in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where he is expected to call it the “first, crucial phase” to ending the conflict.
Sir Keir will also urge leaders to ensure the second phase is delivered “in full”…
IDF declares victory ahead of ‘Operation Returning Home’
Last night, Israel’s Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir released the following statement ahead of Monday’s hostage release.
“The IDF is now launching Operation ‘Returning Home’ to return our hostages from Hamas captivity.
“In a few hours we will all be reunited – one people, embraced and united.
“The military pressure we applied over the past two years, together with the complementary diplomatic measures, constitute a victory over Hamas.
“We will continue to act in order to shape a security reality that ensures the Gaza Strip no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel and its civilians.”
What are we expecting on Monday morning?
An Israeli military official has outlined the rough plan of today’s transfer of hostages – set to begin at around 6am BST on Monday morning.
They revealed that the process will follow the same procedure as a similar operation earlier this year, which went as follows:
- Hostages are transferred by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to a special IDF squad;
- The IDF squad will then bring them to the Re’im military base in southern Israel;
- Family members will be waiting for the hostages at reception points;
- They will then travel with them to hospitals by helicopter, where they will receive further treatment.
“In case of urgent medical needs, the evacuation will be carried out directly to the hospital without stopping at the [reception] compound,” the official told the BBC.
