Israel and Hamas Release Nearly 180 Detainees

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed solidarity with the newly freed hostages, stating, “Our thoughts are now with [them] and all of our abductees.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he promised continued efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages, who were captured during the October 7, 2023, attacks that left 1,200 Israelis dead.

On the other side, Gaza’s health ministry has reported an updated death toll nearing 47,500, with children comprising nearly one-third of the casualties, according to data from the United Nations. The U.N. also estimates that over half a million children have been displaced since the conflict erupted.

As part of the cease-fire deal, Israel and Egypt reopened the Rafah border crossing on Saturday for the first time in months. This allowed scores of Palestinian patients to access critical medical care, including 30 children battling cancer.

In Cairo, foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates came together to issue a joint statement welcoming the temporary truce. They also commended the United States for its role in brokering the agreement. Looking forward, the Arab leaders outlined several key priorities: implementing a two-state solution that would enable Palestinians to remain in Gaza during its rebuilding phase, ensuring an unobstructed flow of humanitarian aid into the embattled territory, and allowing the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to continue its operations in Gaza.

However, these goals face significant challenges. Israel recently banned UNRWA from operating in Gaza, and Netanyahu is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday. Trump has controversially called for measures to “clean out” Gaza and is pushing Arab nations to accept Gaza’s two million residents as refugees.

Meanwhile, several countries, including France, Germany, and Spain, have condemned proposals for forced displacement of Gazans, describing such actions as violations of international law. Many critics have labeled the plan as ethnic cleansing, sparking widespread international opposition.

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This updated version maintains the original content while rephrasing for clarity and conciseness.