71 m. ago 'You are coming home': surviving Israeli hostages freed after two years in Gaza – video report

All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas after more than two years in captivity in Gaza. Hostages were handed over to the Red Cross before finally rejoining their families with the help of the Israeli army. Hamas had allowed some of the hostages to make video calls home on Monday morning before their release.Emotional footage was shared by Israeli broadcasters to an estimated 65,000 people gathered in front of large screens in 'hostages square' in Tel Aviv and to millions more watching the coverage at home. Hundreds were there from the early hours of Monday and tens of thousands more joined them as the morning went on where they watched live footage of events from large screens on two sides of the square. Israeli ministers had approved overnight a list of 1,718 Palestinian prisoners due to be releasedHamas releases 20 remaining living Israeli hostages after two years in GazaGaza ceasefire – live updatesAs Donald Trump heads to Gaza ‘peace summit’ in Egypt...

Events

99 m. ago Hamas release living Israeli hostages as Palestinian prisoners exchanged in Gaza ceasefire

All 20 remaining living hostages are being released by Hamas, while the bodies of 28 dead hostages are also expected to be handed over in a ceasefire deal.

Events

4 h. ago Who are the Palestinian prisoners and how are they being released in exchange for Israeli hostages?

Israel is preparing to exchange about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees for 48 hostages dead and alive still held in Gaza

Events

15 h. ago Israeli hostages set for freedom in delicate timetable as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released

Twenty Israeli hostages are set to be released on Monday morning after more than two years in captivity, while nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are also expected to be freed

Events

23 h. ago Trump to travel to Israel as country anxiously awaits hostage releases

Hamas is due to free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners by Monday

Politics

25 h. ago Starmer and Macron to join Trump at Gaza ‘peace summit’ in Egypt

Monday meeting comes as Hamas is due to free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners

Politics

25 h. ago Israel and Gaza prepare for release of hostages and prisoners

Forty-eight Israeli hostages due to be released on Monday, with nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees to followCeasefire live: aid trucks enter Gaza as Netanyahu says Israel is ready for ‘immediate’ release of hostagesAuthorities in Israel and Gaza are preparing for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners ahead of a Monday deadline for the swap stipulated in the ceasefire deal that could end the two-year war in Gaza.Hamas is meant to release all living hostages from Gaza within 72 hours of the signing of the deal – a deadline that ends at noon local time (10am UK time). The militant group holds 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Continue reading...

Events

55 h. ago Israel rejects freeing from prison the most popular Palestinian leader

The most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader — Marwan Barghouti — is not among the prisoners Israel intends to free in exchange for hostages held by Hamas under the new Gaza ceasefire deal

Politics

3 d. ago ‘It’s over! It’s over!’ they shout, but people here in Gaza still fear what the future may bring | Hassan Abo Qamar

Phase one of Donald Trump’s peace plan has brought joy and relief, yet it’s hard to believe this fragile peace will lastHassan Abo Qamar is a Palestinian writer and journalist based in GazaOn Thursday morning, I didn’t wake up to the sound of explosions, but to my brother shouting: “It’s over! It’s over!” For a moment, I thought I was dreaming. I wondered: what is happening? Has another loved one been targeted? What is over? Then he told me that Donald Trump had said it. “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” the president wrote on his social media. For the first day in a long time, people in Gaza woke up to news that could be called happy. The ceasefire went into effect at noon. The sound of Israeli warplanes still echoed in the sky, but, for once, they didn’t feel frightening.The first phase of the agreement only includes the exchange of prisoners. That means 20 Israeli hostages in Gaza thought to be alive and...

Politics

4 d. ago Gaza ceasefire deal: What we know so far about the ‘first phase’ of the peace plan

US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the ‘first phase’ of his plan to pause fighting and release some hostages and prisonersFull story: ‘First phase’ of ceasefire deal to end war in Gaza agreed by Israel and HamasDonald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of a peace plan to pause fighting and release some hostages and prisoners held in Gaza.In a post on Truth Social, thanking mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. He said: “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.”Hamas said it had reached the agreement, confirming the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange. The group said in a statement the deal came after “responsible and serious negotiations” over the Trump’s proposal.Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu than...

Economics

5 d. ago Hamas says 'all sides optimistic' of Gaza peace deal as the group exchanges list of prisoners to swap for Israeli hostages

The group exchanged with Israel a list of prisoners for release, in exchange for the remaining Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

Events

9 d. ago Donald Trump orders Israel to ‘immediately’ stop bombing Gaza as Hamas agrees to free hostages

Palestinian militant group accepts part of US president’s plan but seeks further negotiations on many termsDonald Trump ordered Israel to “immediately” stop bombing Gaza as he welcomed Hamas’s partial acceptance of his ultimatum to end the nearly two-year long war.Hamas has agreed to release all hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, as well as surrender governing power in the Gaza Strip, in accordance with Trump’s plan. Continue reading...

Politics