Sharm el-Sheikh / Gaza / Tel Aviv, October 9, 2025
A historic breakthrough has been achieved in the Middle East. After two years of devastating conflict that claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives and destabilized the region, Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a peace plan aimed at bringing a definitive end to the war in Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement on his Truth Social platform, declaring that all hostages held in Gaza will be released “very soon” and that Israeli forces will withdraw to an agreed-upon line as the first step toward what he called a “Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.”
Hamas confirmed that it had accepted the U.S. president’s proposal, which includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a large-scale prisoner exchange. According to diplomatic sources, around 20 hostages could be freed as early as this weekend, while approximately 1,700 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released within 72 hours of the deal’s signing.
In Tel Aviv, families of hostages broke into celebration, chanting “Nobel Prize for Trump” as hundreds gathered at Hostages Square. Some opened bottles of champagne and hugged each other in tears of relief. In Gaza, thousands took to the streets, expressing gratitude and disbelief at the long-awaited ceasefire. “Thank God for the end of bloodshed and killing,” said Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo from Khan Younis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the deal as “a great day for Israel,” calling it “a diplomatic success and a moral victory for the nation.” The Israeli Security Cabinet is expected to meet Thursday to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners, a move likely to pass despite opposition from far-right coalition members.
Trump thanked the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, calling the agreement a “Historic and Unprecedented Event.” He confirmed that the United States will assist in the reconstruction of Gaza, adding: “We’ll help make it successful — and help it stay peaceful.”
Speaking from India, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the deal as a “moment of profound relief,” praising the “tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and the United States.” He urged the parties to “fully implement the agreement without delay and immediately lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire and called on all sides to “fully abide by its terms.”
Still, major challenges remain. Analysts warn that questions over Hamas disarmament and the future governance of Gaza could complicate implementation. Yet, diplomats see this as “the best chance for Middle East peace in decades,” with hopes that it may finally halt a war that has spilled into Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran.
If successfully implemented, the Gaza peace deal could mark Donald Trump’s most significant foreign policy achievement since taking office in January 2025 — and potentially a turning point in modern Middle Eastern history.
Source: The Guardian