Hamas Releases Israeli Hostages as Trump Declares Gaza War 'Over'
Speaking to journalists during his flight to Israel, President Donald Trump declared that the war in Gaza had ended and the situation in the Middle East would now "normalize."
Hamas has released all of the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages as part of a peace deal in Gaza, the Israeli military confirmed. The release occurred in two stages: the first seven hostages were handed over to the Red Cross and escorted to Israel by the country's soldiers, while the remaining 13 hostages were handed over to the Red Cross later in the day and subsequently to the Israeli military.
In addition to the living hostages, Hamas also released the bodies of up to 28 captives, stating that this means all remaining captives have been freed.
The move is part of a U.S.-brokered peace deal to end the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 2023.
The war in Gaza had ended and the situation in the Middle East would now "normalize."
Author's note: The situation in Gaza is reportedly returning to normal.