Following over two years of unrelenting war, Israel and Hamas have formally agreed to a historic deal implementing a truce in Gaza. The announcement came on Thursday after weeks of high-stakes indirect negotiations in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh marks a delicate yet notable move toward stopping one of the deadliest wars in recent history.
The deal is the initial step of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan and seeks to end fighting, free Israeli hostages, and set the stage for a staged Israeli withdrawal.
The Heart of the Ceasefire
The Israel will end hostilities the moment it approves the deal in a security session on Thursday.”. Israeli troops will start withdrawing within 24 hours, with the complete ceasefire being in force a short while later.
The deal involves the freeing of all the remaining hostages in the hands of Hamas — a minimum of 20 still thought to be alive — in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, of whom 250 are serving life sentences. The exchange will take place within 72 hours of the ceasefire coming into effect. Hamas also demanded the release of key detainees and people detained throughout the war, details not yet agreed on.
A key humanitarian relief will witness a minimum of 400 trucks of aid with food and medicines pouring into Gaza each day for the initial five days, with a plan to ramp up the volume subsequently. Gaza is grappling with famine-like situations following decades of blockade and bombing. https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/israel-hamas-peace-deal-trump-gaza-hostages?msockid=26e52381a6246e5c2fb035fea7226f62
The deal also enables Palestinian refugees to come back to their homes in Gaza City and the north, regions severely battered by Israeli bombings, as Israeli troops retreat to defined buffer zones.
A Step Toward Reconciliation
This is a historic achievement,” declared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the agreement a “national and moral victory for the State of Israel.” Donald Trump labeled it “a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, and nearby nations” on his Truth Social.
Celebrations both in Gaza and Israel broke out. Families of the abductees celebrated in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square in relief and joy. Palestinians in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah celebrated the hope of an end to years of violence.
Opposition still exists. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the far-right coalition, dismissed the deal, vowing that Hamas needs to be annihilated once hostages are released. However, the Israeli government still enjoys enough support to push forward with ratification.
Regional and Global Impact
The ceasefire has evoked guarded hope across the globe. French President Emmanuel Macron termed it “a necessary turning point” towards peace.Germany, the UK, and several Arab states welcomed the initiative, while leaders in Paris began talks on creating an international peace force and rebuilding Gaza.
Markets responded positively: the Israeli shekel strengthened to a three-year high, and Tel Aviv’s stock market posted hefty gains, taking heart that a prolonged truce may stabilize the region.
Challenges Ahead
While the breakthrough has been achieved, the ceasefire is tenuous. Hamas has refused to disarm, and issues of prisoner release and the governance of Gaza are yet to be resolved. Experts caution that distrust, extremist opposition, and political rifts in Israel may scuttle gains.
Dr. Yousef Munayyer of the Arab Center Washington DC warned: “There’s plenty of reason to be sceptical. Implementation is the real test.”
For civilians on each side, though, the ceasefire is a welcome respite. After decades of violence that cost the lives of more than 67,000 Palestinians and over 450 Israeli soldiers, it provides a moment of breathing space and a glimmer of hope.
What’s Next
If approved, the ceasefire will initiate withdrawals of troops in stages, hostage releases, and more humanitarian aid. Negotiations on rebuilding Gaza and its political status will come later. Trump is likely to travel to Israel about the time when the hostages are returned, indicating additional diplomatic initiative.
As the world watches closely, the question remains whether this agreement can transform into lasting peace. For now, the silence over Gaza is a fragile victory — one that offers hope, but demands trust, commitment, and sustained diplomacy.
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