Heads up, news buffs! 🗞️ On Monday morning, Hamas announced it's set to free Israeli hostages in Gaza—20 of whom Israel believes are still alive—in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Let's break it down.
Under the first phase of a deal inked with mediators, Hamas official Osama Hamdan told AFP the swaps "is set to begin on Monday morning as agreed." This comes just hours before U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi host a mega summit at Sharm el-Sheikh in the Red Sea.
The summit, featuring over 20 nations, aims to hit pause on the Gaza conflict, boost peace efforts, and usher in a new era of regional stability. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Spain's Pedro Sánchez, and France's Emmanuel Macron are all on the guest list—but Hamas itself won't be in the room, preferring talks through Qatari and Egyptian go-betweens.
Here's why it matters for everyone from Dhaka to Jakarta:
- More than a hostage swap: It's a test run for a broader peace plan that could reshape security.
- What's next: The Trump-backed roadmap outlines an Israeli pullback from Gaza cities and a multinational peacekeeping force from Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the UAE, coordinated by a US-led command center.
- Big questions: Can mediators secure a lasting deal that also sees Hamas disarm and step back from governing Gaza?
For young professionals juggling smartphones and social feeds, this is more than breaking headlines—it's a snapshot of how global diplomacy and real-time social media buzz collide. Keep your eyes peeled and your notifications on, because this story is just getting started. 📲✨
Reference(s):
Hamas says to release Israeli hostages before Gaza peace summit
cgtn.com
