On Monday, Israelis prepared to welcome home the last living hostages from Gaza, amidst anticipation among Palestinians for the release of hundreds of prisoners held by Israel. This significant hostage exchange was set against the backdrop of a newly established ceasefire that followed two years of conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by other global leaders, arrived in the region to discuss a U.S.-proposed deal and future postwar plans.

Hamas, the militant group involved in the conflict, made headlines by publishing a list of more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners that it intends to release. This announcement was part of the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing the scale of the proposed exchanges. Additionally, Hamas provided a list of the 20 living hostages that it aims to release as part of the terms of the ceasefire, with the International Committee of the Red Cross expected to oversee these releases.

As part of the ongoing events, Israeli President Isaac Herzog's office announced plans to award President Trump with Israel's highest civilian honor, the "Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor." This award acknowledges Trump's significant contributions towards the return of hostages, as well as his broader commitment to enhancing Israel's security and regional peace initiatives. The presentation of the award is scheduled for a later date, which will be determined in due course.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Egypt to attend a summit co-hosted by Egyptian and U.S. leaders, marking the ceasefire in Gaza. In a Facebook post, Starmer expressed Britain's readiness to support the reconstruction of Gaza and emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure a stable future for the region.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also participated in the summit in Egypt, according to his adviser Mahmoud al-Habbash. He confirmed that Abbas would attend the peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, which underscores the diplomatic efforts being made to address the conflict.

In a surprising twist, Iran declined an invitation to the Egyptian summit. The country's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, mentioned that although Egypt had formally invited Iran’s president to join the gathering, the Islamic Republic chose not to attend. This decision raises questions regarding Iran's position and role in regional dynamics, especially given its alliance with Hamas.

As the situation unfolds, the release of hostages and prisoners represents a critical moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The implications of the ceasefire and the diplomatic efforts by world leaders, including Israel and Egypt's collaboration, are pivotal in shaping the future of peace in the region. President Trump's involvement further underscores the international stakes related to both the hostage release and the overarching quest for stability in the Middle East.