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**Headline: Hope and Uncertainty as Hostage Release Nears; Leaders Converge for Gaza Peace Summit**

**Tel Aviv, Israel & Gaza Strip** – A massive rally in Tel Aviv saw hundreds of thousands celebrating the impending release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, with emotions ranging from joy to anger at the government’s handling of the conflict. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff credited Donald Trump for brokering a ceasefire and hostage return deal. Trump, along with other world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to attend a summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on Monday to finalize the agreement aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas. A tragic car accident near Sharm El-Sheikh claimed the lives of three members of Qatar’s Amiri Diwan, a key mediator in the crisis.

The hostage exchange, part of a ceasefire deal giving Hamas 72 hours to release the remaining 48 hostages, is slated to begin Monday morning. However, logistical details from Hamas militants on the ground are still awaited. In Gaza, approximately 500,000 Palestinians have returned to the devastated northern region, only to find widespread destruction and loss of their homes. Despite a pledge to increase aid, reports indicate that a sufficient surge of humanitarian assistance has yet to reach Gaza, while a UN agency, the World Food Programme (WFP), intends to restore its regular food distribution system, boosting aid through 145 distribution points across Gaza.

Simultaneously, Hamas is reportedly reasserting control in vacated areas, raising concerns about future governance and potential internal strife. Concerns have been raised over possible disagreement over the list of Palestinian prisoners will affect the release of hostages within the agreed 72 hours.
The conflict, triggered by the October 7th Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostage, has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

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