[Anchor] According to the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, the hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas will begin today. The “Gaza Peace Summit” will also be held in Egypt, attended by President Trump and European leaders, but there are projections that it will be a “banquet without key participants” as Hamas has announced its intention to not attend.
Reporting by Lee Roora.
[Report] On the morning of the 13th local time, 20 Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip will be released. This is in accordance with the first phase of the “Gaza Peace Initiative,” which promises release within 72 hours of the ceasefire agreement. After the release of the hostages, around 20 bodies will also be repatriated.
Benjamin Netanyahu / Israeli Prime Minister: “It is an evening of tears and joy because tomorrow (the 13th) our sons will return to the border.”
Israel will also release about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
If the first phase of the “Peace Initiative” is implemented, it will sequentially lead to the disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of a Palestinian civilian government.
President Trump will move to Egypt to host the Gaza Peace Summit.
The summit will be attended by UN Secretary-General Guterres and leaders from about 20 countries, including France and Germany.
JD Vance / U.S. Vice President: “This is significant on a global scale. That’s why the President is visiting the site personally to celebrate this achievement.”
However, Hamas, the key party involved, declared its absence by stating it is “an agreement imposed by the U.S.,” and Israel has not clarified its attendance, raising the possibility of it becoming a “banquet without key participants.”
Additionally, Hamas is strongly opposing the second phase of the peace initiative, which focuses on disarmament, suggesting that future negotiations will not be easy.
This is Lee Roora for TV Chosun.