This article was originally written and uploaded to The Baptist Paper. Photo provided by Send Relief.
Celebrations were underway on Oct. 13 as all 20 remaining living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have reportedly been freed and returned to Israel after more than two years in captivity, according to multiple news outlets.
The recent ceasefire deal also led to Israel releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 250 serving life sentences, the Associated Press reported. As a result, the report noted, emotional reunions erupted in Tel Aviv and across Israel, while excited crowds in Gaza and the West Bank welcomed the released prisoners.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared the moment as “the dawn of a new Middle East.” He is traveling to Egypt for a summit with world leaders on Gaza’s future, according to news outlets. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted he was “committed to this peace,” though key issues — including Hamas’ disarmament — still remain unresolved, AP reported.
