Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians await the exchange of the hostages and Palestinian prisoners on Monday, as US President Donald Trump heads to the region for a peace summit after declaring an end to the two-year-old war in Gaza.
People have started gathering at the hostage square in Tel Aviv to celebrate the agreement signed between Israel and Hamas for a hostage-prisoner exchange deal brokered by Trump. According to the deal, Israel will release more than 2000 Palestinian prisoners in return for 20 living and 30 deceased hostages.
The swap is likely to take place ahead of the peace summit, which would see the participation of heads of 20 states along with Foreign ministers.
While leaving for Israel, Trump said, “This is going to be a very special visit, as families from both sides will get to see their loved ones after a long time.
"I think the ceasefire is going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It's been centuries," he said of the fighting. "The war is over. Okay? You understand that?" the US president added. Meanwhile, he will be accompanied by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA chief John Ratcliffe and top military officer Dan Caine.
Also Read: 'War is over' in Gaza as hostages' return nears: Trump
The majority of the nations invited to the peace summit said they were attending the meeting, though Iran has rejected the idea of sitting between the enemies and exchanging greetings with those they call killers of innocent people.
"Iran is grateful for President El-Sisi's invitation to attend the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit," Araghchi said in a post on X. "While favouring diplomatic engagement, neither President Pezeshkian nor I can engage with counterparts who have attacked the Iranian People and continue to threaten and sanction us."
Araghchi said Tehran nonetheless supported any initiative "to end Israel's genocide in Gaza" and to defend Palestinians' "fundamental right to self-determination".
Also Read: IDF thwarts terror attack in Gaza, no casualties reported
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