While the prisoner and hostage exchange was hailed as a breakthrough, the next phases of the U.S. peace plan face formidable challenges. The deal’s later stages will require intense negotiations on the future governance of Gaza, Israeli troop withdrawals, and the disarmament of Hamas — all deeply contentious issues that could determine whether the ceasefire evolves into lasting peace.
Under the agreement, around 1,700 Palestinians detained without formal charges and 250 serving life sentences were released. Freed prisoners were welcomed home by jubilant crowds, though many appeared frail and exhausted from years behind bars. In Ramallah, cheers erupted as detainees stepped off Red Cross buses, draped in keffiyeh scarves, some struggling to walk unaided. “There is joy and pain at the same time,” said one father as he embraced his son newly freed after months in Israeli custody.
For the families of Israeli hostages, emotions were mixed. While most were reunited with their loved ones, Hamas returned only the remains of four deceased captives, and up to two dozen others are still unaccounted for. Israeli authorities are conducting forensic examinations to confirm identities and notify families.
At the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, President Trump stood beside world leaders and proclaimed, “At last, for Israelis and Palestinians alike, the long and painful nightmare is finally over.” The conference also outlined the next steps of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, including the creation of a temporary transitional government composed of Palestinian technocrats, supervised by an international “Board of Peace” chaired by the U.S. President and featuring former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
However, key disputes remain unresolved. Hamas has rejected foreign oversight in Gaza and insisted it will not disarm without the establishment of a recognized Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, opposes restoring power to the Palestinian Authority.
The war, which began after the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has claimed more than 67,000 lives in Gaza and left much of the enclave in ruins. Despite the hopeful tone of Monday’s events, the peace process remains fragile — a moment of relief overshadowed by the immense task of rebuilding trust, communities, and an entire region scarred by years of bloodshed.