"Israel released nearly 2,000 prisoners yesterday as part of the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Hamas also freed the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages. Some of the Palestinians who returned to Gaza were journalists, doctors and first responders who were taken from hospitals and off the streets by soldiers. NPR's Aya Batrawy tells Up First that some of the returned Palestinians showed signs of torture on their bodies and severe malnutrition, and some struggled to walk."
"Trump has returned from a trip to the Middle East and is receiving a lot of credit for the ceasefire deal, says NPR's Tamara Keith. There have previously been brief ceasefires in the war. The question now is whether this time will be different. Keith emphasizes that this is only the first phase of a multiphase peace plan for Gaza. By making the trip to the Middle East, Trump has invested political capital in the peace being a lasting one."
"NPR's Anas Baba witnessed the people's return to Gaza and said he saw a mix of joy and survival as many embraced loved ones. But many of them have no homes to return to and have discovered that their families are gone. Israeli troops still occupy Gaza and won't be withdrawing until Hamas disarms. Batrawy says it is still uncertain whether Hamas will agree to storing or handing over offensive weapons."
Israel released nearly 2,000 prisoners as part of an initial ceasefire phase, and Hamas freed the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages. Some Palestinians returned to Gaza were journalists, doctors and first responders taken from hospitals and streets, many showing signs of torture, severe malnutrition and mobility problems. Returning people displayed both joy and trauma while discovering destroyed homes and missing family members. Israeli troops continue to occupy Gaza and will not withdraw until Hamas disarms, and uncertainty remains over whether Hamas will surrender offensive weapons. The ceasefire is the first phase of a multiphase plan, and its durability may depend on continued political engagement.
Read at www.npr.org
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