A critical day is unfolding for the Middle East as Israel began receiving the last 20 living hostages held by Hamas and prepared to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange in a breakthrough Gaza ceasefire deal .

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived on Air Force One to a red carpet in Tel Aviv on Monday, where he will address Israel's parliament in Jerusalem before heading to Egypt for a ceremony marking the ceasefire plan.

More ramped-up aid was being readied for Gaza, much of which is in ruins after two years of war that began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,600 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

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