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In an address to the Knesset, Trump hailed the ‘historic dawn of a new Middle East,’ as 20 remaining living hostages are released to Israel.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One that Hamas may release hostages ‘a little bit early.’
‘The visit of the U.S. president ... is accompanied by great emotion and expectation,’ an Israeli Ministry of Defense official said.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said 20 living hostages are expected to be released in the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, about 200 U.S. troops arrived in Israel to monitor and support the operation.
This begins a 72-hour countdown for all hostages—living and dead—still held by Hamas to be released.
The troops will be tasked with monitoring the peace agreement in Israel while working with other international forces on the ground.
Trump hailed the agreement between Israel and Hamas, which includes the return of all hostages, as a ‘momentous breakthrough.’
Several Democrats called the agreement a positive step, pressing for hostages’ return, humanitarian aid, and a path to lasting peace.
In exchange for all the hostages Hamas is still holding, Israel will release more than 2,000 prisoners, including 250 that are serving life sentences.
Families of hostages held by Hamas expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump and voiced hope for the hostages’ safe return.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner is due to be announced on Oct. 10 in Norway.
The deal is set to see the hostages released, the Hamas terrorist group cede control of the Gaza Strip, and Israel withdraw its troops from the enclave.
World leaders welcomed the deal, the first step in Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.
Russia maintains that the two-state solution is the only possible way to settle the Gaza war.
‘I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday ... negotiations are going along very well,’ Trump said.
Washington’s 20-point plan calls for a ceasefire, aid and reconstruction in Gaza, and the release of hostages.
Israel stated that the convoy was a provocation that served Hamas, while a lawyer for the activists accused authorities of mistreating detainees.
Delegations from Israel, Hamas, the United States, and Qatar are meeting in Egypt on Oct. 6.
Netanyahu’s office pledged cooperation with Washington after Hamas signaled willingness to release all hostages and accept parts of the U.S. proposal.
