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 marks the beginning of the first phase of United States President Donald Trump's peace plan. Trump's Middle East envoy has assured Israeli hostage families that their loved ones will be returned to them.
"Your courage has moved the world,"
"To the hostages themselves: you are coming home,"
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 after the fighting ceased, and Israelis chanted "Thank you Trump" in response to the news.
Author's summary: Trump's peace plan begins with Israeli hostage release.