Hundreds of Thousands Gather in Tel Aviv as Israeli Hostages' Release Looms
A massive rally in Tel Aviv drew hundreds of thousands of people on Sunday, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff announcing that Israeli hostages held by Hamas will soon be released. The expected release comes as part of a ceasefire and hostage deal facilitated by Donald Trump, who is set to visit Israel on Monday ahead of a summit in Egypt aimed at ending the war.
According to BBC World, the rally was attended by hundreds of thousands of people, with Witkoff addressing the crowds to confirm that the hostages "are coming home." The envoy praised Trump for making the Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal possible. In response to Witkoff's announcement, the crowd erupted in cheers, while some attendees booed as Israeli billionaire Moshe Witkoff thanked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his efforts.
The agreement also includes the return of nearly 500,000 people to northern Gaza, which has been devastated by the conflict. Palestinian officials confirmed that about 500,000 people had returned to northern Gaza in the past two days following the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Egypt has confirmed it will host a summit on Monday to finalise an agreement aimed at ending the war.
According to BBC World, the rally was held ahead of the expected release of Israeli hostages by Hamas, with many attendees expressing hope and relief that the ordeal is nearing its end. The deal marks a significant development in efforts to bring peace to the region, following months of intense fighting between Israel and Hamas.
The agreement comes as Trump prepares to visit Israel on Monday, where he will meet with Netanyahu and other leaders to discuss the ceasefire and hostage return deal. A summit in Egypt on Tuesday is expected to finalise an agreement aimed at ending the war, according to Egyptian officials.
In related news, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the conflict, with many forced to flee their homes due to the fighting. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by the lack of access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care.
As the situation continues to unfold, experts warn that the road to peace will be long and challenging. "This is a significant step forward, but there is still much work to be done," said Dr. Sara Alami, a Middle East expert at Tel Aviv University. "The agreement must be implemented in good faith by all parties involved, and we must remain vigilant to ensure that the ceasefire holds."
With the release of Israeli hostages imminent, hopes are high that the deal will bring an end to the war and pave the way for a lasting peace in the region. As one attendee at the rally in Tel Aviv put it, "We're grateful for this opportunity to bring our people home, but we know there's still much work to be done."
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.
