US President Donald Trump announced “the war is over” while en route to Israel to facilitate the release of hostages from Gaza, following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. During his comments aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed optimism about the ceasefire and indicated that a “Board of Peace” would be established swiftly to oversee efforts in Gaza, which he described as resembling a “demolition site.” He acknowledged the contributions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and mediators like Qatar.
The ceasefire agreement, which commenced on Friday, aims for Hamas to release all hostages by midday local time. It is reported that 20 Israeli hostages are alive, and Hamas plans to return the remains of up to 28 deceased individuals. Subsequently, Israel is expected to release approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners and facilitate the entry of aid into Gaza.
The recent conflict began with Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, resulting in about 1,200 Israeli fatalities, as well as significant casualties on the Palestinian side. Estimates suggest over 67,000 Palestinians have died due to the Israeli military response, with reports indicating that more than 18,000 among them were children.
In conjunction with his visit, Trump is scheduled to speak at the Knesset before attending an international summit in Egypt aimed at concluding the conflict. Leaders from multiple countries, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are expected to participate in the summit, where a significant peace document may be signed.
As aid began to flow into Gaza, with hundreds of trucks arriving, UNICEF reported that the amount of assistance was inadequate compared to the needs, estimating that around 600 trucks would be necessary daily to address the humanitarian crisis. Local sources noted that returning Palestinians found extensive destruction in their communities, and as humanitarian efforts continue, the region faces a complex path toward stability following the conflict.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn409y125v3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss