Excitement was palpable throughout Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank on Sunday as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was maintained, marking a significant day for all parties involved and the surrounding region.

Efforts were seemingly underway to facilitate the release of 48 hostages, both those alive and deceased, still held in Gaza. Additionally, there was preparation for the liberation of numerous Palestinian detainees. Enhanced aid was being organized for Gaza, a region devastated after two years of conflict that started when militants led by Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in the death of around 1,200 people and the capture of roughly 250 hostages. The subsequent Israeli military action led to the deaths of over 67,600 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.

U.S. President Donald Trump was scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday, staying a few hours before heading to Egypt.

What we know and what remains unknown:

737 days since hostages taken

Sunday marked the 737th day since these hostages were captured—a number many Israelis have emphasized through daily updates on adhesive tape strips worn as a national reminder.

Israel announced on Sunday its anticipation that all 20 living hostages would be released together on Monday. Following their release, the hostages would be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Israeli military, with plans to transport them to the Reim military base in southern Israel for reunions with their families.

Subsequently, plans were made to relocate the hostages to facilities across Israel, with a request to the Red Cross for ambulances to be on standby for any immediate medical needs after their long captivity.

It seems unlikely that the remains of up to 28 others will be returned concurrently. Medical professionals and advocates emphasize this step as crucial for the healing process for many families and society overall. However, one ceasefire document includes conditions regarding remains that are not returned within a 72-hour window.

On Sunday, Israel said “an international body” will help locate the remains if they are not released tomorrow.

Palestinian prisoners slated for release

As part of the ceasefire deal, Israel is to release around 2,000 Palestinians. Among them are some 1,700 people that troops seized from Gaza during the war and have held without charge since.

Also among those being released are some 250 Palestinians serving prison sentences.

Many are members of Hamas and the Fatah faction who were imprisoned over shootings, bombings or other attacks that killed or attempted to kill Israelis, as well as others convicted on lesser charges. They’ll return to the West Bank or Gaza or be sent into exile.

It is unclear who will be among the prisoners released back into Gaza, and whether any will be deported.

Aid expected to surge in Gaza

Humanitarian organizations said they’re preparing to surge aid into the Gaza Strip, especially food that’s been in short supply in many areas.

That includes some 400 trucks from Egypt on Sunday that will have to undergo Israeli inspection before being allowed into the strip. The Israeli defense body in charge of humanitarian aid in Gaza said around 600 trucks of aid per day will be entering soon, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

The world’s leading authority on food crises said in August that the Gaza Strip’s largest city was gripped by a famine that was likely to spread across the territory without a ceasefire and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said famine was devastating Gaza City — home to hundreds of thousands of people. That famine was expected to spread south to the cities of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by around now if the situation did not change.

The larger task of rebuilding Gaza is daunting, as much of it is in rubble and most of its two million residents displaced.

Trump to travel to Israel and Egypt

Trump, who pushed to clinch the ceasefire deal, is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday morning.

A giant U.S. flag enveloped a building in Jerusalem’s City Hall complex, and U.S. and Israeli flags were projected onto the Old City’s walls on Saturday night.

The White House schedule has Trump meeting with families of hostages and speaking at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, before traveling to Egypt for a “peace summit” attended by regional and international leaders later on Monday. From there, he was slated to return to the White House, arriving overnight Tuesday.

Daunting issues remain unsolved

The ceasefire and release of hostages is the first step in the proposed peace plan. Competing demands remain on the next steps, casting uncertainty on whether the conflict is indeed over.

Israel wants Hamas to disarm, and Hamas wants Israel to pull its troops out of all of Gaza. The future of Gaza’s government, which has been in Hamas’ hands for two decades, also remains to be worked out.

Gaza’s Health Ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the 67,600 deaths were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.