SHARM EL‑SHEIKH, Egypt — After more than two years of relentless conflict that has devastated the Gaza Strip and strained the wider Middle East, Israel and Hamas on Thursday signed the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, a deal brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye and announced by U.S. President Donald Trump as the centerpiece of his long‑promised peace plan.
The agreement, finalized in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el‑Sheikh, represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war erupted in October 2023. It comes after months of failed attempts to halt the fighting, which has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and left vast swathes of Gaza in ruins. For Israelis, the war has been defined by the trauma of the October 7 attacks and the prolonged captivity of hostages taken into Gaza.
Trump, speaking on his social media platform Truth Social late Wednesday, hailed the deal as “the first step toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace.” He said both sides had agreed to a phased plan that would see the release of hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops to a designated line inside Gaza, and the entry of humanitarian aid. “All parties will be treated fairly,” Trump declared, thanking the mediators for what he called a historic achievement.
The Terms of the Deal
According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the first phase of the agreement requires Hamas to release around 20 Israeli hostages believed to be alive, along with the remains of several others. In return, Israel will free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds detained since the war began. The exchange is expected to take place within 72 hours of Israel’s cabinet formally approving the deal, a vote anticipated later Thursday.
Israel has also agreed to pull its forces back to what negotiators described as a “yellow line” inside Gaza, creating space for humanitarian agencies to deliver aid and begin limited reconstruction. The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross are expected to oversee the logistics of prisoner releases and aid convoys.
For Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, the announcement offered a rare moment of relief. In Khan Younis and Gaza City, crowds gathered in the streets, some waving Palestinian flags, others simply embracing in disbelief. Yet even as news of the ceasefire spread, explosions were reported in parts of the enclave, a reminder that the deal has not yet taken effect and that mistrust runs deep.
Reactions Across the Region
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the agreement, calling it a “prelude to a permanent political solution.” In a statement released by his office, Abbas praised the mediators and reiterated that sovereignty over Gaza must ultimately rest with the Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He urged all parties to commit to the immediate implementation of the deal, including the release of hostages and the entry of urgent humanitarian aid.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet in Jerusalem to review the terms. A spokesperson for his office confirmed that the ceasefire would only take effect after formal government approval. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu privately told ministers the deal was “imperfect but necessary,” emphasizing the priority of bringing hostages home.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, families of captives gathered to watch the news on giant screens. Some wept with relief, others expressed cautious optimism. “We’ve been waiting for this day for two years,” said Yael Cohen, whose brother was taken hostage in 2023. “But until I see him walk free, I won’t believe it.”
Internationally, the deal drew swift praise. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres called it a “momentous opportunity” to end the bloodshed. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi, whose country hosted the talks, said the agreement underscored Cairo’s role as a guarantor of regional stability. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan both highlighted their countries’ mediation efforts, framing the deal as a victory for diplomacy.
A War’s Heavy Toll
The war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants stormed across the border into southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hundreds hostage, has left scars that will not be easily healed. Israel’s military response — a massive air and ground campaign — reduced much of Gaza to rubble. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, hospitals overwhelmed, and infrastructure destroyed.
According to Gaza’s health authorities, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, with tens of thousands more wounded. Thousands remain missing under collapsed buildings. The humanitarian crisis has been described by aid agencies as the worst in the region’s modern history. Food shortages, lack of clean water, and the collapse of medical services have compounded the suffering.
Israel, too, has paid a heavy price. More than 1,500 soldiers have been killed in combat, and the country has endured repeated rocket barrages. The psychological toll of the hostage crisis has been immense, with families campaigning relentlessly for their loved ones’ release.
The Road to Sharm el‑Sheikh
The path to Thursday’s agreement was fraught with setbacks. Earlier attempts at ceasefires collapsed within days, often amid disputes over prisoner exchanges or violations of agreed pauses. Trust between the parties is virtually nonexistent, and mediators have struggled to bridge the gap.
Key moments in recent months helped shift the calculus. In September, a wave of European countries formally recognized a Palestinian state, adding diplomatic pressure on Israel. At the United Nations General Assembly, Trump unveiled a 20‑point peace plan, which many dismissed as unrealistic. Yet behind the scenes, U.S. envoys worked with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish counterparts to hammer out a phased approach.
The breakthrough came this week when negotiators agreed to separate the immediate humanitarian needs from the longer‑term political questions. By focusing first on hostages, prisoners, and aid, they created a framework that both sides could accept without conceding their core positions.
Fragile Hopes
Despite the celebratory rhetoric, the ceasefire remains fragile. Israeli officials insist that Hamas must fully comply with the terms before any broader withdrawal is considered. Hamas leaders, for their part, have framed the deal as a victory, portraying the prisoner releases as proof of their leverage.
Analysts warn that spoilers on both sides could derail the process. Hardline factions within Israel’s government oppose any concessions to Hamas, while militant groups in Gaza may resist orders to halt attacks. Already, reports of fresh strikes in Gaza on Thursday underscored the volatility of the situation.
“The ceasefire is a necessary first step, but it is not peace,” said Lina Khatib, director of the Middle East program at Chatham House. “The underlying issues — governance of Gaza, the future of Hamas, the question of Palestinian statehood — remain unresolved. Without progress on those fronts, this truce could prove temporary.”
Looking Ahead
For now, attention turns to implementation. If Israel’s cabinet approves the deal, the first hostages could be released within days. Humanitarian convoys are poised to enter Gaza, though aid groups caution that the scale of need far exceeds what can be delivered quickly. Reconstruction will require billions of dollars and years of effort.
Trump has promised that this is only the beginning. He has hinted at a second phase of negotiations that would address Gaza’s governance and the broader Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. Whether he can sustain momentum remains uncertain. Previous U.S. administrations have tried and failed to broker lasting peace in the region.
Still, for families on both sides of the conflict, Thursday’s announcement offered a glimmer of hope. In Rafah, a father who lost three children in an airstrike said he dared to believe the worst might finally be over. In Jerusalem, a mother of a hostage said she prayed her son would soon be home.
The war has left deep wounds, and peace will not come easily. But for the first time in two years, the guns may fall silent, if only for a while.
Reporting by Nick Ravenshade.
Sources: The Hindu, Al Jazeera, IMEMC News, CBS News, Morung Express, NBC News.
Photo: Mohammed Ibrahim / Unsplash
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