Hamas Releases First Group of Israeli Hostages as Ceasefire Deal Takes Effect

BAGHDAD — In a significant breakthrough toward ending the conflict in Gaza, Palestinian militant group Hamas has released the first seven surviving Israeli hostages under a ceasefire agreement brokered with the involvement of U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, the freed hostages were transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza on Monday. The deal’s next phase is expected to see an additional 13 surviving hostages and 28 other captives — including 26 confirmed dead and two whose fates remain uncertain — handed over in the coming days.

As part of the same agreement, Israel is set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, marking one of the largest prisoner exchanges in the region’s recent history.

In an interview with CNBC, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said Trump’s involvement demonstrates that he is “serious about achieving peace,” ahead of a high-level summit in Egypt aimed at ending the two-year war.

The summit, hosted in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, brings together more than 20 world leaders — including Trump — to discuss a permanent truce and plans for rebuilding Gaza after years of devastation.

Al-Sudani described the U.S.-led initiative as “important” and expressed optimism that the truce could serve as the foundation for a lasting resolution. “The Palestinian issue is the root of the problem in the Middle East,” he told CNBC’s Dan Murphy. “It is time to find real solutions through dialogue and respect for international institutions and agreements.”

The ceasefire follows two years of bloodshed that began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw hundreds taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza left more than 67,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with many of the casualties being civilians.

Al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s support for any peaceful path that can end the war, warning that civilians in Gaza are enduring not only airstrikes but also “hunger, thirst, and the lack of basic necessities.”

“Iraq has suffered deeply from wars,” he said. “We understand and feel the pain of those affected by this humanitarian catastrophe.”

Postwar Transition and Reconstruction

Addressing reports that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair might help oversee Gaza’s postwar transition, Al-Sudani welcomed the idea. “Mr. Blair has been a great friend of Iraq,” he said, noting that the postwar plan calls for “an international administration or figure” to help coordinate reconstruction efforts and restore essential services.

When asked whether Iraq would consider normalizing relations with Israel, Al-Sudani made it clear that Baghdad’s position is shaped by law and long-standing principles. “Our government operates under a parliamentary system and is bound by laws enacted by Parliament,” he said. “Israel has committed many crimes against the Palestinian people over the years. The Palestinians deserve a better reality and a better future.”

Regional Security Concerns

Al-Sudani also emphasized that any peace initiative must address the broader regional dynamics, not just Gaza. “Syria remains a key national security concern for Iraq and for all neighboring countries,” he noted. He criticized recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria as “unacceptable violations of international law” that only deepen instability.

The prime minister warned that remnants of the Islamic State group still operate within Syria, posing a continuing threat. “They have seized weapons from the former Syrian army and continue to endanger the stability of the region,” he said. “Any weakening of the government in Damascus risks empowering extremists who could once again destabilize this already fragile area.”

The recent release of hostages and the diplomatic push led by the U.S. signal a rare moment of cautious optimism in a region long defined by conflict. Whether this fragile ceasefire can hold — and evolve into lasting peace — now depends on the political will of leaders across the Middle East to transform momentum into meaningful change.