Breaking News: Gaza Ceasefire in Effect, Israel Announces as Hostage Release Countdown Begins
Just a moment ago, Israel released a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners who are expected to be released as part of the first phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release deal. This comes after a tumultuous period of conflict and negotiation.
Under the terms of the deal, Palestinian prisoners will only be released after a 72-hour period, by the end of which all remaining Israeli hostages, living and dead, are to be released. This period ends on Monday afternoon in Israel. An Israeli official has informed CBS News that Hamas will release all the remaining hostages by noon local time on Monday, which would be 5 a.m. Eastern.
But here's where it gets controversial...
The Rafah Crossing from southern Gaza into Egypt will reopen on Tuesday in coordination with European Union authorities and the White House, according to the Italian Defense Ministry. This move has sparked debates about the role of international powers in the conflict and the potential implications for the region.
Meanwhile, displaced Gazans have begun returning to northern parts of the war-torn enclave, as the Israeli military partially withdrew its forces in line with the ceasefire agreement. However, extensive damage is visible in neighborhoods across Gaza City, and in Al-Shati Refugee Camp on the city's western side.
The International Red Cross has emphasized that the return of hostages and Palestinian prisoners must be carried out 'safely and with dignity.' However, the question remains: how will this be achieved in such a complex and volatile situation?
An international team will be established to locate missing hostages, according to Gal Hirsch, the Hostage and Missing Persons Coordinator for the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. But with only 20 of the 48 remaining hostages in Gaza believed to be still alive, the challenges ahead are immense.
President Trump's senior envoy Steve Witkoff has confirmed that the U.S. military's Central Command has 'confirmed that the Israeli Defense Forces completed the first phase withdrawal to the yellow line at 12PM local time,' and that the '72 hour period' for Hamas to release all remaining Israeli hostages 'has begun.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Gaza will be demilitarized following the Israeli government's approval of a peace plan to end the war. However, the question remains: how will this be achieved, and at what cost?
As the ceasefire takes hold, 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid are set to enter Gaza in the coming days. But with an expanded flow of aid not yet allowed into the war-torn Palestinian enclave, the challenges ahead are significant.
What are your thoughts on these developments? Do you think the ceasefire will hold, and Gaza will be demilitarized? Or do you think the situation is more complex than it appears? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
