'There is consensus': Hamas to begin releasing Israeli captives on Monday, says Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (local time) that Hamas will begin releasing Israeli captives on Monday as part of a US-brokered truce, which also includes returning the bodies of those who died in captivity, The Guardian reported.

Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza are expected to hand over 20 surviving captives and the remains of 28 others in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel under the Trump-led peace plan.

“Some of those bodies are being unearthed right now, as we speak. They’re working on it right now,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “It’s a tragedy. It’s a tragedy.”

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He described Monday as a critical day for the ceasefire, noting that several hostages are still being held “in some pretty rough places, where only some people know where they are.”

The ceasefire, finalised earlier this week, requires Hamas to free all captives within 72 hours of its start. The Israeli cabinet approved the deal early Friday, and troops began pulling back from positions inside Gaza to nearby staging areas.

Trump to host Gaza summit in Egypt

Trump is expected to host a high-level summit on Gaza during his visit to Egypt next week, bringing together leaders and representatives from Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not expected to attend, a US official told The Guardian.

Trump confirmed he will meet “a lot of leaders” in Cairo on Monday to discuss Gaza’s future and may travel to Israel afterward to address the Knesset.

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Logistical challenges remain

Reports suggest Hamas is facing difficulties locating all the bodies of captives who died during the conflict, which could delay Monday’s exchange. Despite these challenges, Trump expressed optimism, saying, “Both Hamas and Israel are all tired of fighting. There is consensus on most of it and some of the details, like anything else, will be worked out.”

He noted that negotiations are often easier in diplomatic settings than in practice. “When you’re sitting in a beautiful room in Egypt, it’s easy to work something out. But then sometimes it doesn’t work from a practical standpoint. For the most part, there’s consensus,” he said.

International support for the deal

Trump welcomed backing from the European Union, Iran, and Russia, saying the agreement could lay the foundation for wider regional peace. “This is peace in the Middle East, and it’s a beautiful thing,” he added.