ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Hamas on Monday released the first seven of 20 living Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza as a ceasefire and hostage release deal brokered by US President Donald Trump takes shape. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that seven hostages had been transferred to their custody, with Trump arriving in Israel and later heading to chair a high-level peace summit in Egypt aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza. 

“They are currently on their way to the initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will reunite with their families. The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on,” an IDF statement said. 

Their releases came after Trump declared that the Gaza war was “over.” 

“The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” Trump told reporters abroad Air Force One. 

Celebrations broke out across Israel, particularly in Tel Aviv, after news of the release of the first seven hostages broke out. 

Hamas agreed to the initial stage of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which includes the release of 48 Israeli hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans held by Israel since the war broke out. Hamas has also insisted that seven Palestinian leaders be freed in the hostage-prisoner swap.

The ceasefire deal has been hailed regionally and internationally as a major breakthrough aimed at ending the bloody war. It came after two years of sustained conflict in the region. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 67,000 people, the majority of whom are civilians.