Handover of Israeli hostages begins in Gaza

The handover of 48 Israeli hostages - 20 of whom are believed to be alive - has begun in Gaza, the BBC reported citing an Israeli official.

The hostages are being handed to the Red Cross, who will transfer them to the Israeli military. 

Hamas has released a list of those being freed. They have been held in Gaza since the 7 October attacks in 2023.

Israeli media is reporting that the first seven hostages have been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza.

In exchange for the hostages, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees. 

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Israel today. 

Trump declared the "war is over" in Gaza - although the next phases in the Israel-Hamas deal still need to be negotiated.