The 20 remaining living hostages were released Monday in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

While major questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners raised hopes for ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group.

All 20 living hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel walked free Monday as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war that decimated the Gaza Strip and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza on Monday, as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war that pummeled the territory, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and had left scores of captives in militant hands.

US President Donald Trump is also in Israel, before he heads to Egypt to meet around 20 other world leaders to discuss the ceasefire.

Two years after the October 7 attacks in Israel that killed 1,200 citizens and led to a prolonged war in Gaza, a ceasefire has been reached as part of President Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan. READ MORE:

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are returning to neighborhoods in Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is in its second day

Hamas released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross on Monday, Israel said, the first to be released as part of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. There was no immediate information on their condition.