War Declared Over as Hamas Frees All Israeli Hostages

In a momentous and emotionally charged breakthrough, Hamas released all 20 of its remaining living Israeli hostages on Monday, signaling an end to the brutal two-year war that has devastated the region. The release, conducted in two phases and facilitated by the Red Cross, is the cornerstone of a new, US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The historic development was immediately hailed by US President Donald Trump, the chief mediator of the deal, who arrived in Israel to oversee the process. "The war is over," Trump declared upon his arrival. "This is a great day. This is a new beginning."

The news of the release, which comes after two years of agonizing captivity for the hostages and relentless conflict for the two sides, was met with an outpouring of emotion across Israel. For the families of those held since the initial attack on October 7, 2023, the event marked the end of a long and painful nightmare. The agreement, which involves the exchange of the 20 hostages for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, represents the most significant diplomatic achievement since the war began, though the path to a lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.

An Emotional Homecoming

The release was a carefully coordinated operation, with a first group of seven hostages handed over in the morning, followed by the remaining thirteen later in the day. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), under a mission titled "Operation Returning Home," confirmed that its personnel were accompanying the former captives as they returned to Israeli territory for initial medical assessments. The moments leading up to the release were filled with raw emotion, as some of the hostages were able to speak with their families via video call for the first time in two years.

Across Israel, the public mood was one of jubilation and relief. Crowds gathered in cities and towns to watch live broadcasts of the events, with thousands congregating in Tel Aviv's "hostages square." Cheers and applause erupted as the news broke, with many waving Israeli flags and holding signs bearing the names of their loved ones. Outside the Reim military base, a quiet, prayerful vigil gave way to celebration, with the traditional Jewish horn, the shofar, being blown to welcome the news. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife prepared handwritten notes and personalized reception kits to welcome each individual home.

The Fragile Path to Peace

While the return of the hostages is a moment of profound national relief, the ceasefire it is built upon remains fragile. President Trump is in the region to attend a Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he will meet with over 20 global leaders to discuss the next steps of the peace framework. A central proposal of his 20-point plan is the creation of a new international body, the "Board of Peace," which he is expected to lead.

However, several critical and contentious elements of the plan are still unresolved. Key among these are the complex issues of the post-war governance of Gaza and the future of Hamas as an organization. The most significant sticking point is Israel's demand that Hamas disarm, a condition that the group has so far rejected. This refusal leaves the long-term viability of the ceasefire in question. While Monday's breakthrough is a monumental step forward, the journey toward a stable and lasting peace is only just beginning, with the success of future negotiations hanging in the balance.

Hamas has released all 20 of its remaining living Israeli hostages as part of a new ceasefire agreement, effectively ending the two-year war.

The release was mediated by US President Donald Trump, who is in Israel and has declared "the war is over."

The agreement involves the exchange of the 20 hostages for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The ceasefire remains fragile, as crucial issues, including the post-war governance of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, are yet to be resolved.