Trump begins whirlwind tour to secure Gaza deal

Donald Trump has flown to Israel and Egypt to oversee the critical hours of a Gaza ceasefire he helped broker, as relatives of hostages “held their breath” ahead of their expected release.

- BEL TREW IN TEL AVIV

For the first time, Hamas militants have agreed to release all 48 remaining hostages - 20 alive, 26 confirmed dead, and two whose lives were in “serious danger” with an unknown status. The deadline for Hamas to return the captives who have been held for two years expires at midday today (0900 GMT).

Shortly afterwards, 1,700 Palestinians detained from Gaza since October 2023 and 250 more serving life sentences will be released from Israeli detention. The bodies of 360 Palestinians Israel is holding will also be returned.

Leaving to fly to Israel ahead of the planned releases, Mr Trump told reporters his trip would be: “A very special event.”

“We're going to have an amazing time,” he added: “This is going to be a very special time. Everybody is very excited about this moment in time.”

Israeli spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said Israel was “prepared and is ready” for the release, adding that the living hostages will be released in one go to Red Cross vehicles, but warned against “any sick displays by Hamas”. during the handover.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the expected return of the hostages as a “historic event”.

In a statement issued yesterday evening, he said: “Citizens of Israel, my brothers and sisters, this is an emotional evening, an evening of tears, an evening of joy. Because tomorrow, children will return to their border. This is a historic event.”

But he also warned “the campaign is not over”.

“There are still very great security challenges ahead of us,” he said: “Some of our enemies are trying to rebuild themselves to attack us again. And as we say - ‘We’re on it.’”