Israel and Hamas Set to Exchange Hostages Amid Peace Summit Preparations
A signing ceremony for the “Middle East peace plan,” an agreement between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending violence in Gaza, is anticipated during an upcoming summit in Egypt, reports 24brussels. However, neither Israel nor Hamas is expected to attend this significant meeting.
On Monday morning, Hamas plans to release a group of Israeli hostages in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, in alignment with the ceasefire deal reached earlier in the week. Concurrently, former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to visit Israel for a speech at the Knesset before proceeding to Sharm El-Sheikh to participate in the peace summit.
In a move aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, trucks delivering aid crossed the border on Sunday morning after the U.N. humanitarian office reported that Israel had allowed assistance to resume, contingent upon the ceasefire agreement remaining intact.
European Council President António Costa will represent the European Union at the summit in Egypt, according to a statement from his spokesperson. “The plan offers a real chance to build a just and sustainable peace, and the EU is fully committed to supporting these efforts and contributing to its implementation,” the spokesperson noted.
