Trump flies to Israel as Hamas set to release hostages on Monday morning
A Red Cross vehicle moves along a road before the expected release of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY (REUTERS)
Donald Trump is travelling to Israel and Egypt to oversee a critical Gaza ceasefire he helped broker, ahead of an anticipated hostage release.
Hamas is expected to release 48 remaining hostages by midday Monday, including 20 alive, 26 confirmed dead, and two whose status is unknown.
In exchange, Israel will free 1,700 Palestinians detained since October 2023 and 250 serving life sentences, and return the bodies of 360 Palestinians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the expected return of hostages as a "historic event" but warned that the "campaign is not over" and significant security challenges persist.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will join Trump in Egypt for a formal signing ceremony and has pledged £20m in humanitarian aid for Gaza, with the UK also hosting a conference on the region's recovery.