After two years of devastating conflict, all 20 of the last living hostages held by Hamas have been released, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have walked free as part of a historic U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The exchange marked the first tangible step toward ending what has been called the deadliest war ever between Israel and Hamas, which left vast portions of Gaza in ruins and claimed tens of thousands of lives.
“The long and painful nightmare is finally over,” President Donald Trump told Israel’s Knesset, declaring, “The war is over.” According to The Associated Press, Trump praised Israel for its endurance and called the ceasefire “a historic dawn of a new Middle East.” He later traveled to Egypt to co-chair a summit with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, discussing the U.S.-proposed plan for Gaza’s future and the broader path to peace.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told parliament he was “committed to this peace,” noting that the date on the Jewish calendar “marks the end of two years of war.” Crowds in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square erupted in tears and applause as the names of freed captives were announced. One father, long confined to a wheelchair, fulfilled a personal vow to stand and embrace his son as he returned home; a moment that has become a symbol of faith and resilience across Israel.
Meanwhile, scenes of reunion and relief unfolded across Israel as families embraced their loved ones, while massive crowds welcomed buses of freed Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank and in Gaza. The Guardian documented the homecomings with live updates and images, capturing the day’s rare moments of joy after long captivity.
A Catholic reading of this moment
Give thanks, and keep praying. We rejoice that the living hostages have returned. Let us pray in thanksgiving for their rescue and for their physical, emotional, and spiritual healing—and for those who mourn the dead on all sides.
Work for the peace that justice requires. The Church teaches that authentic peace rests on truth, justice, and reconciliation. As leaders gather in Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss next steps, Catholics can advocate for a ceasefire that endures, the protection of civilians, the release and dignified return of remains, and sustained humanitarian aid into Gaza, which aid agencies say is beginning to scale up under the deal, according to AP updates.
Hold leaders to their words. When a president says “The war is over,” and another declares commitment to peace, Christians should take them at their word, and then insist they keep it: disarmament benchmarks defined, detainee due process ensured, aid delivered, and a credible path toward just political arrangements pursued (including the difficult questions of governance and security). Both AP and The Guardian note that leaders now pivot to difficult implementation at the Egypt summit.
How to pray today
- Thanksgiving for the freed: for restoration of families scarred by separation.
- Comfort for the bereaved: for the return of remains with dignity and for all who grieve.
- Protection of the vulnerable: for civilians in Israel and Gaza, and for aid workers.
- Wisdom for leaders: that talks in Egypt bear lasting fruit and that “yes” to peace is matched by verifiable steps.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Mt 5:9)
What to watch next
- Ceasefire implementation—including humanitarian corridors and reconstruction planning. AP reports world leaders are pressing these details at Sharm el-Sheikh.
- Follow-through on disarmament language and the status of Palestinian governance and security, which The Guardian notes are central but still ill-defined.
In this hour of relief, fragile but real, may we, as Catholics, be steadfast in prayer, generous in mercy, and tireless in our pursuit of the peace that safeguards every human life.
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