A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brings a glimmer of hope to Gaza, marked by the release of hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid. However, doubts linger about the deal's sustainability, with President Trump expressing skepticism and anxieties rising in Israel about the psychological toll on returning hostages.
Hamas announced on Tuesday its commitment to release four more female hostages in the coming days as part of a fragile ceasefire aimed at ending 15 months of devastating war in Gaza . The truce, brokered by Qatar and the United States, commenced on Sunday with the first prisoner exchange involving 33 hostages from Hamas ' captivity in exchange for nearly 1,900 Palestinians held by Israel .
US President Donald Trump, who claimed credit for the laborious ceasefire agreement, expressed skepticism about its longevity despite his return to the White House for a historic second term. Meanwhile, desperately needed humanitarian aid began to flow into Gaza as Palestinians displaced by the conflict gradually returned to their devastated homes, clinging to hope that the ceasefire would endure. The first batch of released Palestinian prisoners departed from Ofer prison in the West Bank on Monday, greeted by jubilant crowds in Beitunia, a nearby town. Khalida Jarrar, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group designated as terrorist by Israel and some Western nations, shared her experience of being held in solitary confinement for six months. In Israel, families celebrated the return of Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher, who appeared to be in relatively good health despite their harrowing 15 months of captivity. However, a shadow of concern looms over the upcoming phases of the truce. Columnist Sima Kadmon warned in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily that the subsequent hostage releases might be emotionally more challenging, with some returning in critical condition or even as coffins. In southern Gaza, Ammar Barbakh, 30, spent the truce's first night in a tent amidst the ruins of his home, reflecting the widespread devastation caused by the war. The conflict has displaced the majority of Gaza's 2.4 million population, leaving them to grapple with the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and homes
Hamas Israel Gaza Ceasefire Hostages Humanitarian Aid Donald Trump Joe Biden Qatar War Conflict
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