Israelis on Monday celebrated the return of the last 20 living hostages who were held in Gaza under the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Over the next two days, Hamas said it also released bodies of eight hostages.

After more than two years in captivity, the last 20 hostages abducted during Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, have been released.

By Steven Scheer and Nidal al-Mughrabi JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Aid trucks rolled into Gaza on Wednesday and Israel resumed preparations to open the main Rafah crossing as Hamas handed over more bodies of dead hostages,

President Trump got a standing ovation after addressing Israeli lawmakers following Hamas' release of all living hostages under the Gaza peace deal.

Follow live updates as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are released. Presidents Trump and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are expected to meet with other leaders in Egypt to discuss Gaza’s future.

Two American citizens, Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, remain among deceased hostages held by Hamas as terror group violates hostage exchange agreement.

Israel had threatened to keep Rafah shut and reduce aid supplies because Hamas was returning bodies too slowly.

Originally from South Africa, Peretz moved to Yad Binyamin in 2014 with the rest of his family before serving in the IDF's 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade. Former Gaza hostage Captain Daniel Peretz will be laid to rest in Har Herzl on Wednesday after being returned during phase one of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

Israel might keep Gaza's important Rafah crossing closed due to the lack of progress by Hamas in returning the remains of the dead hostages to Israel.