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US President Donald Trump has said he believes that all hostages held in Gaza — including the remains of those who have died — will be returned on Monday as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking in a phone interview with Fox News on Wednesday night, Trump said: “So much is happening to get the hostages freed, and we think they’ll all be coming back on Monday, so it looks like that’s the thing, and that’ll include the bodies of the dead.”
His comments came just hours after he unveiled a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending two years of devastating conflict that has left Gaza in ruins and triggered a humanitarian crisis.
Under the agreement, Hamas will release all hostages while Israeli forces will withdraw to a mutually agreed boundary, Trump said. The deal reportedly followed negotiations in Egypt and has been described by the US president as a turning point for regional stability.
“This is more than Gaza, this is peace in the Middle East,” Trump told Fox News, suggesting that even Iran — traditionally a foe of both Israel and Washington — could play a role in the emerging peace framework.
“The world has come together around this deal,” he said. “It’s great for Israel, so great for Muslims, for the Arab countries, and so great for this country.”
Trump also reiterated his long-held belief that Gaza could eventually transform into a thriving region once the violence ceases. He said the United States and its allies would play an active role in the territory’s reconstruction.
“Gaza is going to be a place that reconstructs, and other countries in the area will help it reconstruct, because they have tremendous amounts of wealth, and they want to see that happen,” he said. “And we’ll be involved in helping them make it successful and helping it stay peaceful.”
