Trump Declares War “Over” as Hostage Exchange Nears Completion

In a significant development, Hamas is poised to release all surviving hostages on October 13, 2023, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. This announcement coincides with a visit by US President Donald Trump to the region, where he declared the ongoing conflict “over” during a peace summit aimed at solidifying a recent ceasefire agreement.

Details of the Hostage Exchange

The release of hostages is a pivotal part of the negotiations between the two sides. Under the proposed roadmap, once Hamas hands over the surviving hostages, Israel will reciprocate by releasing approximately 2,000 detainees. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office indicated that all 20 living hostages are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross “early Monday morning.”

Trump, addressing reporters aboard Air Force One, expressed confidence in the durability of the ceasefire, stating, “I think it’s going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It’s been centuries.” He emphasized, “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” His visit aims to celebrate his role in brokering the recent peace deal, which includes a 20-point plan announced in late September.

Negotiations and Political Context

As final arrangements for the exchange were being finalized, two sources from Hamas reported that the organization is demanding the inclusion of seven senior Palestinian leaders in the release agreement. Israel has previously rejected at least one of these names. Despite these negotiations, Hamas has stated that it has “completed all preparations” for the handover of all living hostages.

The plan outlines that Hamas will release a total of 47 hostages—both living and deceased—who were abducted during the October 7, 2023 attack. This assault resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, a majority of whom were civilians. Additionally, Hamas is expected to return the remains of a soldier killed in a previous Gaza conflict in 2014.

Among the Palestinian prisoners slated for release, 250 are categorized as security detainees, many of whom have been convicted of offenses against Israelis. The remaining 1,700 were detained by the Israeli army in Gaza during the current conflict.

Following his visit to Israel, Trump plans to travel to Egypt to co-host a summit with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This gathering will involve more than 20 world leaders to further support his initiative aimed at ending the Gaza conflict and promoting peace in the region.

Trump is also expected to address key uncertainties surrounding the next phases of the peace plan, particularly regarding Hamas’ stance on disarmament and Israel’s commitment to a full withdrawal from Gaza. He insisted he has “guarantees” from both parties about the initial stages of the agreement. “I don’t think they’re going to want to disappoint me,” he remarked.

While Trump expressed a desire to visit Gaza in the future, he did not specify when such a complex security maneuver would take place. His plan includes the establishment of a new governing body for Gaza, which he would lead, and envisages a multinational force replacing Israeli troops as they begin a partial withdrawal.

The ongoing Israeli campaign in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 67,806 people reported dead, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The United Nations considers these figures credible, although they do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Notably, more than half of the deceased are reported to be women and children.