By Aaron Miller-
US President Donald Trump excitedly told reporters the “war is over” in Gaza and the “ceasefire will hold” as he travels to Israel for the release of hostages Hamas in the meantime have pushed for last minute changes to the list.
The group wants seven high-profile prisoners released, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, and had said if just two of these seven were freed today, all the hostages would be released in return.
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Trump’s optimistic comments comes as Israel awaits the release of the remaining hostages – under the terms of the ceasefire deal they have until 12:00 local time (10:00 BST)
Trump told reporters: “Everybody’s very excited about this moment in time. This is a very special event,” Trump said earlier as he prepared to board the plane at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, holding an umbrella as light rain fell.
“We have a lot of verbal guarantees, and I don’t think they’re going to want to disappoint me,” Mr Trump said.
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Key US officials were traveling with him including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA chief John Ratcliffe and top military officer Dan Caine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says “tomorrow is the beginning of a new path” – but warns there are still “very big security challenges” ahead. Trump will host with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in order to finalise an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza, including nearly two dozen children. Hamas at the very last minute made modifications to the list.
The group now wants seven high-profile prisoners released, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, and had said if just two of these seven were freed today, all the hostages would be released in return. It remains to be seen what actually plays out.
In Gaza, at least 27 people have been killed in clashes between Hamas and a Gaza City clan since the end of major Israeli operations in the territory
Dozens of aid trucks have been seen entering Gaza – pictures show lorries queueing at the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
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