Sun Oct 12 08:54:03 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, written from an Indian perspective, acknowledging the source:

**The Hindu: Gaza Ceasefire Ushers in Aid, Hostage Release Preparations Amidst Hope and Destruction**

**Cairo, October 12, 2025 (2:24 PM IST)** – Hopes for lasting peace flicker in the Gaza Strip as a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas takes effect after a devastating two-year war. Preparations are underway to significantly increase humanitarian aid to the war-torn region, with plans to release Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

The Israeli defense body, COGAT, announced that aid deliveries are expected to surge to 600 trucks daily. Egypt has already dispatched 400 trucks carrying vital supplies, including medical necessities, shelter, food, and fuel, all subject to Israeli inspection. These supplies are desperately needed, as the UN estimates only 20% of the required aid has been reaching Gazans due to the conflict, border closures, and Israeli restrictions.

The fate of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), remains uncertain. Established as an alternative to UN aid by Israel and the US in May, the GHF was shut down after the ceasefire.

Concurrently, preparations are in full swing for the release of Israeli hostages, with families notified to prepare for their loved ones’ return starting Monday. Plans are also being finalized for the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump, a key figure in brokering the ceasefire, is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday to meet with hostage families and address the Knesset. He will then travel to Egypt to co-chair a peace summit with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, bringing together regional and international leaders.

Despite the progress, the scale of devastation is immense. Palestinians are returning to their former homes, only to find them reduced to rubble. Satellite imagery shows the first wave of returning residents travelling along the coast towards Gaza City.

The war, triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in the loss of 1,200 Israeli lives and the capture of 250 hostages. While the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, the long road to recovery and lasting peace in Gaza remains a significant challenge.

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