Israel and Hamas took a significant step Monday in the ceasefire agreement for the Gaza war by releasing hostages and prisoners. Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza, while Israel released some 1,

The plan for ending the war in Gaza was unveiled by Trump last month, with a first phase centred on a ceasefire and hostage exchange, and a second aimed at securing a permanent end to the fighting, in which Hamas would disarm, Israel would withdraw from the Palestinian enclave and an international stabilisation force would be deployed.

At the center of the negotiations were the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who helped bring Israel, Hamas and surrounding nations to the table over the past several months.

President Donald Trump announced peace in the Middle East as Israeli hostages returned from Gaza, but uncertainties remain about the future of the U.S. peace plan.

Trump gave an hour-long speech to the Israeli parliament as hostages were freed and the Palestinian prisoner release began. Here are the key moments.

Trump traveled to Jerusalem and received a standing ovation in the Knesset for brokering the peace deal with Israel and Hamas.