Mass Rally in Tel Aviv Ahead of Hostage Release; Trump Praised for Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Tens of thousands of Israelis filled Tel Aviv’s streets on Saturday in an emotional rally demanding the swift return of hostages held by Hamas, ahead of their expected release under a newly signed ceasefire deal, BBC reported. 

Addressing the rally, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the hostages “are coming home,” and praised Donald Trump for facilitating the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. Large banners in the crowd read “Nobel for Trump,” while many chanted “Thank you, Trump!”

The rally came as Palestinian officials in Gaza reported that nearly 500,000 displaced people had returned to northern Gaza in the past two days, following Israel’s partial troop withdrawal. Much of the area lies in ruins after two years of conflict.

Meanwhile, Egypt confirmed it will host a peace summit on Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh, aiming to finalise an agreement to end the war. Over 20 world leaders, including Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are expected to attend. Trump is scheduled to visit Israel before traveling to Egypt.

Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas has 72 hours, until noon Monday, to release all 48 remaining hostages, of whom around 20 are believed to be alive. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told AFP that the prisoner exchange will begin Monday morning “as agreed.”

For many Israelis, the emotional cost remains unbearable. Aviv Havron, who lost several family members in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, told the BBC: “Without their return, we can’t restart our lives. My sisters and brothers-in-law were murdered, and seven relatives are still missing.”

Others at the rally expressed anger toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, booing when his name was mentioned. “He wants to continue the war just to stay in power,” one attendee said.

In Gaza, Hamas has mobilised thousands of fighters to reassert control over areas vacated by Israeli forces, amid fears of internal clashes and power struggles once the war ends. Displaced Palestinians continue to return north, only to find their homes destroyed.

“There is no house anymore. Everything is gone,” said Mosa Aldous, a lawyer from Gaza City. Another resident, Raja Salmi, told AFP, “I stood before my home and cried. All those memories are now just dust.”

Despite the ceasefire agreement, aid deliveries remain scarce. The World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that only two to three aid trucks have entered Gaza daily, far below the expected surge. Israel’s coordination body Cogat claimed that 500 trucks crossed the border on Thursday, with 300 distributed inside Gaza.

According to the UN-backed IPC food security report, about 500,000 Gazans, a quarter of the population, are facing famine. Israel has denied the allegations, blaming Hamas and aid agencies for distribution failures.

The war, which began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 251, has since claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

As Monday’s deadline approaches, global attention turns to whether Hamas will honour the hostage deal, and whether this fragile ceasefire can finally pave the way for peace.