A massive rally was held in Tel Aviv on Saturday with hundreds of thousands of people in attendance, amid growing hopes for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. During the gathering, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced, “The hostages are coming home.” He praised Donald Trump for his efforts in making the ceasefire and hostage-release process possible.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials reported that nearly 500,000 people have returned to northern Gaza in the past two days following the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from several areas.
Egypt confirmed that a high-level meeting aimed at finalizing the truce agreement will take place on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, co-chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Around 20 world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to attend. Reports indicate that President Trump will travel to Egypt following his visit to Israel.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were also present at the Tel Aviv rally, where the crowd chanted “Thank you, Trump.”
According to the terms of the agreement, Hamas has until Monday noon to release 48 hostages, of whom around 20 are believed to be alive. The remaining bodies will be handed over to Israel. Hamas senior leader Osama Hamdan confirmed that the prisoner-exchange process will begin on Monday morning.
In northern Gaza, many returnees have expressed despair upon finding their homes reduced to rubble. Lawyer Musa Aldous said, “There are no houses left here—everything is gone.”
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that although more aid trucks were expected to enter Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal, the plan has not yet been implemented. The agency aims to resume food distribution at 145 centers across the city. The Israeli military claimed that 500 aid trucks entered Gaza on Thursday, but UN estimates suggest that around half a million people remain at risk of famine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected these allegations, stating, “If there is a food shortage anywhere, the responsibility lies with Hamas and international organizations.”
Sources: The Times of Israel, BBC.