Israel and Hamas took steps toward ending the two-year war that has devastated the Gaza Strip, but hard work lies ahead.

Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages on Monday as part of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and U.S. President Donald Trump is in the region to discuss postwar plans.

Israel decided to proceed with opening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt and allowing the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza, after the return of the bodies of four hostages, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday.

While major questions remain about the future of the region, the exchange of hostages and prisoners marked a key step toward ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and Hamas.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has brought cautious calm to the region as aid begins to flow into the Gaza Strip.

Trump added, "This is not only the end of a war, this is the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God. It's the start of a grand concord of lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a magnificent region."

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