Trump Declares Israel-Gaza War Over Following Hostage Return

US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that Israel's war on the Gaza Strip has officially ended, following the completion of a hostage release by Hamas. The announcement came as the Palestinian group freed the remaining Israeli captives under a US-brokered ceasefire agreement.

Responding to a reporter's question on whether the conflict had concluded, President Trump affirmed, "yes," shortly before he was scheduled to address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. This statement marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the region, a priority also emphasized in Türkiye's diplomatic engagements.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, handed over all 20 living Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross in two separate groups within Gaza. In a reciprocal move mandated by the 20-point ceasefire agreement, Israel began releasing 1,968 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 who were serving life sentences.

Buses transporting Palestinian detainees have already departed Israeli prisons en route to Gaza and the West Bank, according to monitoring groups. This large-scale prisoner swap represents a critical component of the truce, which aims to de-escalate tensions following months of hostilities. The successful execution of this exchange is seen as a test for the durability of the ceasefire.