Summary
Twenty hostages held by Hamas were released and returned to Israel as part of a ceasefire deal. This agreement aims to end the fighting in Gaza, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. In exchange for the hostages, Israel released about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Key Facts
- Twenty hostages held by Hamas were released and returned to Israel.
- The release was part of a ceasefire deal that involved the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
- Israel released approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange.
- The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 251.
- According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 67,000 Palestinians have died during the conflict.
- The Ministry claims about half of those killed were women and children.
- The United Nations and independent experts consider the casualty figures from Gaza's Health Ministry as a reliable estimate.
- President Trump visited the Middle East to support the ceasefire and hostage release efforts.
