Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have returned to a devastated Gaza City, as Hamas announced it will start releasing Israeli hostages on Monday morning local time.
This move is part of the first phase of United States President Donald Trump's peace plan. Trump's Middle East envoy assured Israeli hostage families that their loved ones would be returned to them.
"Your courage has moved the world,"
"To the hostages themselves: you are coming home,"
Steve Witkoff told the families and a huge crowd in Tel Aviv, Israel, prompting Israelis to chant "Thank you Trump".
A senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, confirmed that
"the prisoner exchange is set to begin on Monday morning as agreed".
The region's top US general visited Gaza one day after the guns fell silent, marking a significant step towards peace.
Author's summary: Trump's peace plan brings hope to Israeli hostages.