Gaza Truce Holds as Palestinians Return and Hostage Release Nears

Published: October 12, 2025, 21:45 EDT

The fragile ceasefire in Gaza entered its second day, allowing thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their devastated neighborhoods. As debris clearing continued, the United States and Israel confirmed that the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas could take place as early as Monday, marking a crucial test for the region’s newly signed peace agreement.

Ceasefire Brings Brief Calm After Years of Conflict

In Gaza City, families cautiously returned to what remained of their homes after two years of conflict. “Gaza is completely destroyed. I have no idea where we should live or where to go,” said resident Mahmoud al-Shandoghli as bulldozers cleared shattered streets. Amid the ruins, a young boy raised the Palestinian flag — a symbolic gesture of resilience amid loss.

In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered at a rally celebrating the expected release of hostages. U.S. President Donald Trump and his envoy, Steve Witkoff, addressed the crowd alongside Jared Kushner. Many Israelis waved U.S. flags and chanted for peace while others called for accountability.

“To the hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters, you are coming home,” Witkoff told attendees, estimated in the hundreds of thousands. Kushner said the nation would celebrate Monday when Israel’s military expects the final 48 hostages to be freed — around 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

International Forces Coordinate Truce Efforts

Roughly 200 U.S. troops have arrived in Israel to help monitor the ceasefire with Hamas. They will operate from a coordination center designed to facilitate humanitarian aid and logistical support, officials said.

“This great effort will be achieved with no U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza,” confirmed Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command. Cooper met with U.S. and Israeli officials, including Witkoff and Kushner, to finalize monitoring arrangements.

The Egyptian presidency announced that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi will co-host a regional “peace summit” on Monday with Trump, aimed at addressing both Gaza’s reconstruction and broader Middle East stability. French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected to attend.

Ceasefire Terms Reveal Complex Prisoner Exchange

A copy of the ceasefire agreement obtained by The Associated Press shows Hamas must disclose all information related to hostages’ remains within 72 hours. In turn, Israel agreed to share information on the remains of deceased Palestinians held in Israeli custody.

The deal, confirmed by two diplomatic officials familiar with the talks, outlines that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and international mediators will oversee all exchanges privately, without public ceremonies or media coverage.

Israel will release approximately 250 convicted prisoners and about 1,700 Palestinians detained without charge since 2023. The Israel Prison Service said detainees have already been moved to deportation centers at Ofer and Ktzi’ot prisons, awaiting final orders.

Humanitarian Agencies Push for Expanded Aid

Relief agencies have urged Israel to reopen additional crossings to increase the flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza, where aid shortages have reached critical levels. A United Nations official confirmed that Israel approved an expansion of aid deliveries beginning Sunday.

The World Food Programme said it plans to reopen 145 food distribution centers. Before the latest escalation, the U.N. managed over 400 sites across Gaza. The organization estimates that 170,000 metric tons of food aid are ready in neighboring countries, awaiting clearance for delivery.

Rebuilding and Governance Questions Loom

As the ceasefire stabilizes, questions remain over who will govern Gaza once Israeli troops withdraw and whether Hamas will agree to disarm, as stipulated in the truce.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously ended a ceasefire in March, warned that Israel could resume operations if Hamas fails to meet disarmament obligations. “The next stage must ensure Hamas’ complete disarmament,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

Officials at Gaza’s Shifa Hospital reported at least 45 bodies recovered from rubble in northern Gaza in the past 24 hours, adding to the mounting humanitarian toll.

Security Arrangements Under U.N. Oversight

Trump’s proposed 20-point plan calls for Israel to maintain a defensive presence along Gaza’s border, while a U.N.-authorized multinational force composed largely of Arab and Muslim troops would handle internal security. Egypt has voiced support for the plan, urging the U.N. Security Council to approve the deployment.

Israeli forces will continue limited defensive operations in roughly half of Gaza until the international mission is established, military officials confirmed.

A U.S. coordination center will remain in Israel to manage Gaza-related issues until a transitional government is formed, according to a meeting summary reviewed by AP News.

Casualties and Regional Impact

The war that began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel, has left deep scars across the region. The attack killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to the abduction of roughly 250 hostages.

In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says nearly half of the dead are women and children. The ministry’s figures, widely cited by the United Nations and independent monitors, remain the most consistent estimate of the conflict’s toll.

The fighting has fueled global protests, international diplomatic tensions, and ongoing accusations of war crimes — allegations that Israel strongly denies.

Path Forward

As Gaza’s residents sift through the ruins and international leaders gather in Cairo, hopes for a lasting peace remain fragile. The success of the ceasefire and the upcoming hostage release will determine whether this marks a turning point or another temporary pause in a decades-long conflict.