Deal Signals Potential End to Two-Year War, with Immediate Hostage Releases and Ceasefire Pause

October 9, 2025 - Washington, D.C.

In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic efforts, U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the first phase of a comprehensive peace plan aimed at ending the protracted conflict in Gaza. The deal, brokered through intense negotiations in Egypt, marks the most significant progress in months toward halting the violence that has ravaged the region since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

"This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly!" Trump declared in a post on Truth Social, expressing pride in the breakthrough. The announcement came after days of talks involving key U.S. figures like envoy Steve Witkoff and former advisor Jared Kushner, alongside mediators from Qatar and Egyptian officials.

Under the terms of the first phase, fighting in Gaza will pause immediately, allowing for the release of all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages held by Hamas over the coming weekend. In exchange, Israel will begin withdrawing its forces from the majority of Gaza to a pre-agreed boundary line, while facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory. The agreement also includes an initial exchange of Palestinian prisoners for the hostages, building on a similar swap earlier this year that freed dozens on both sides.

The war, which erupted with Hamas's assault that killed about 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 abductions, has since claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and left Gaza in ruins through Israel's retaliatory campaign. Trump's peace plan, unveiled earlier this year, envisions a multi-phase roadmap to a permanent ceasefire, though details on subsequent stages—such as Hamas's potential demilitarization and long-term governance of Gaza—remain unresolved.

Reactions poured in swiftly from global leaders and the parties involved. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the development on social media, stating, "With God’s help we will bring them all home." Hamas confirmed the accord, emphasizing that it ensures Israeli troop withdrawal and aid access, while vowing to continue pushing for broader concessions. In the U.S., Secretary of State Marco Rubio was credited with urging Trump to publicize the deal during an event, underscoring the administration's hands-on role.

World leaders expressed cautious optimism. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator, noted that more details would follow soon. The United Nations welcomed the step but called for swift implementation to avert further humanitarian catastrophe. Critics, however, warned that without addressing root causes like territorial disputes, the agreement risks unraveling.

Trump hinted at personal involvement in the next phase, telling reporters he is considering a trip to the Middle East "within days" to oversee implementation. As the weekend approaches, all eyes are on whether the hostage releases proceed as planned, potentially ushering in a fragile calm after two years of unrelenting conflict.