United States President Donald Trump announced that Israeli captives held in Gaza will be released on Monday as part of a US-brokered ceasefire and prisoner-exchange agreement.
Speaking at the White House on Friday evening, Trump described the upcoming exchange as “a big day,” confirming that both living captives and bodies of deceased hostages will return.
According to the president, twenty surviving Israelis and the remains of twenty-eight others who died in captivity will be exchanged for roughly two thousand Palestinian prisoners.
The prisoner swap marks one of the most consequential gestures since the Gaza war began, raising cautious optimism about a possible breakthrough in regional reconciliation efforts.
“Some of those bodies are being unearthed right now, as we speak. They’re working on it right now,” Trump said somberly. “It’s a tragedy. It’s a tragedy.”
The US-mediated ceasefire plan, ratified by Israel’s cabinet early Friday, requires Hamas to complete the release of all captives within seventy-two hours of the truce taking effect.
Israeli troops began pulling back from parts of Gaza as the ceasefire took hold, while displaced Palestinian families cautiously returned to shattered neighborhoods seeking signs of normalcy.
Trump emphasized that both sides were weary of prolonged conflict, saying, “There is consensus on most of it, and some details will be worked out soon.”
He confirmed plans to travel to Cairo this weekend and later address the Israeli Knesset, calling the visits “a symbol of hope and cooperation for lasting peace.”
“Because when you’re sitting in a beautiful room in Egypt, it’s easy to work something out,” he remarked, describing negotiations as challenging but ultimately worthwhile.
Egypt and Qatar have played crucial intermediary roles in facilitating the deal, ensuring coordination between Hamas, Israel, and international agencies overseeing the humanitarian aspects of the truce.
Reports earlier in the week suggested Hamas faced logistical hurdles in locating all remains of deceased captives, creating concerns about fulfilling the release conditions on time.
Despite those difficulties, Trump expressed confidence that “everyone involved understands the urgency” and insisted Monday’s exchange would proceed according to the agreement’s outlined framework.
The president hailed the deal as a milestone in his broader Middle East peace initiative, which he claims aims to “go beyond Gaza” and reshape regional cooperation.
“This is peace in the Middle East, and it’s a beautiful thing,” Trump said, highlighting endorsements from European, Iranian, and Russian officials who welcomed the ceasefire.
Diplomatic observers described the tone of Trump’s remarks as measured, noting his focus on humanitarian outcomes and his avoidance of inflammatory political statements about either side.
“Getting a Gaza ceasefire was the easy part,” one senior US official said anonymously. “What comes next — the reconstruction and governance — will test everyone involved.”
Israeli families of captives expressed relief and exhaustion as news spread of the imminent release. “We are holding our breath until they come home,” said Yael Ben-David, a relative.
Government spokesperson Eytan Levy called the agreement “a hard but necessary decision,” emphasizing that “no deal can undo the suffering, but it can restore faith in humanity.”
In Gaza, local authorities confirmed cooperation with international mediators in recovering remains of Israelis, saying the work was conducted “under supervision and with respect to all lives lost.”
Hamas officials, while restrained in public comment, reiterated that their compliance depends on simultaneous prisoner releases by Israel and full adherence to the ceasefire timetable.
For Palestinians, the truce brought rare respite after weeks of bombardment. Returning residents described scenes of devastation mixed with relief as Israeli forces withdrew from dense areas.
“We just want peace and the chance to rebuild,” said Fatima Abu Salem, a Gaza mother of three. “People are tired of war, all of us.”
Israeli soldiers remained stationed at designated checkpoints to enforce security measures, while engineers began clearing rubble and reopening key routes for humanitarian deliveries.
Trump praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what he termed “courageous leadership,” saying “real peace requires painful compromise, but it starts with the return of people.”
The prisoner exchange, officials say, is intended to build trust ahead of upcoming negotiations expected to address Gaza’s long-term political administration and reconstruction funding.
Analysts view the deal as a crucial test of Washington’s ability to sustain influence across volatile Middle Eastern fault lines that have resisted decades of diplomatic intervention.
“This could be a turning point, but it depends on both sides respecting the process,” said Dana Cole, a former US envoy. “Trust takes time, not just signatures.”
Trump’s upcoming address in Cairo is expected to outline a broader “peace roadmap” involving regional reconstruction initiatives, new trade corridors, and international monitoring of demilitarization.
White House aides hinted the administration hopes the Monday exchange will serve as a foundation for further de-escalation measures and cross-border humanitarian coordination.
Still, skepticism lingers among regional observers who note that previous ceasefires collapsed amid renewed rocket fire and political disputes over prisoner lists and border controls.
A European diplomat told reporters, “Everyone wants peace, but translating words into security guarantees is another challenge altogether — we’ve seen this cycle before.”
Meanwhile, Gaza’s health and civil defense departments reported massive infrastructure damage, underscoring the need for international aid even as calm slowly returns to the territory.
Humanitarian agencies continue urging donor nations to accelerate funding commitments for medical aid, reconstruction, and psychological support for families affected by months of bombardment.
As the countdown continues toward Monday’s anticipated exchange, both Israeli and Palestinian media reflected guarded optimism that the deal might signal the start of sustained dialogue.
Trump concluded his remarks by emphasizing unity over division. “There’s pain on both sides, but peace is worth every step forward,” he said before leaving the White House podium.
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