Gaza Ceasefire Begins After Hostage Release, Next Steps Unclear

Published: 13 October. The English Chronicle Desk

In a landmark development under the first phase of Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza, Hamas has handed over all living hostages to Israel in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees, marking a crucial step toward halting years of conflict. The Israeli military confirmed that twenty hostages, long held captive in Gaza, were released to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday morning in two separate groups, bringing a measure of relief to families and communities that have endured years of anguish.

The hostages, abducted during the October 2023 attacks by Hamas in southern Israel, were among 251 individuals initially seized. These attacks had claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 civilians, prompting a large-scale military response from Israel that resulted in the deaths of over 67,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The released hostages include individuals such as Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, and others whose families have been anxiously awaiting their return. Despite the release, uncertainties remain over the fate of other hostages whose condition has yet to be confirmed, and international teams are expected to work to locate the remains of those who did not survive.

The ceasefire, which officially came into effect at 12:00 local time on Friday, also paved the way for increased humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip over the weekend. In exchange for the hostages, Israel agreed to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,718 detainees, including 15 minors, from Gaza. However, prominent figures such as Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat remain excluded from this release, highlighting the complexities that remain in the negotiation process. Released prisoners are expected to be relocated across the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza as per the initial agreements.

Ahead of the hostages’ release, Israeli forces withdrew from key positions, retaining control of approximately 53% of Gaza as part of the phased withdrawal outlined in the Trump plan. A multinational monitoring force, consisting of troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates and overseen by the U.S., has been deployed to observe the ceasefire, though no American forces are on the ground in Gaza itself.

The broader plan envisions Gaza’s demilitarization and the dismantling of military and terror infrastructure, with an interim transitional committee of Palestinian technocrats temporarily governing the territory under the supervision of a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Ultimately, governance is intended to be handed over to the Palestinian Authority following structural reforms. Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, would have no role in governance under the plan, though members willing to commit to peaceful coexistence could receive amnesty or safe passage elsewhere. The proposal also includes a Trump-led economic development initiative aimed at rebuilding Gaza, with assurances that residents wishing to leave would retain the right to return.

Despite the initial success of the first phase, numerous points of contention remain. Hamas has historically resisted disarmament until the establishment of a recognized Palestinian state, and the group has not indicated a willingness to surrender weapons in response to the plan. Israel has voiced reservations over the Palestinian Authority’s potential role in post-war Gaza, while Hamas anticipates some future involvement within a unified Palestinian framework. The phased Israeli withdrawal, planned in stages from 53% to 40% and eventually to 15% of the territory, also presents negotiation challenges, with the final security perimeter intended to remain until the region is fully secured against potential threats.

As the first phase concludes, diplomats and mediators are bracing for complex discussions ahead to implement the remaining steps of the ceasefire and address the lingering political, security, and humanitarian challenges in the region. While families celebrate the return of hostages, the path toward lasting peace in Gaza remains fraught with uncertainty and delicate negotiations.