World Leaders Hail 'Milestone' Agreement as Israeli Hostages Freed


October 13, 2025

Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – In a dramatic turn of events amid ongoing Middle East tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump joined Egyptian, Israeli, and Palestinian leaders on Sunday to sign a ceasefire agreement formally ending the two-year war in Gaza. The summit in Sharm El-Sheikh marked the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages held by Hamas, a key concession that paved the way for the deal's finalization.

The agreement, brokered through months of backchannel diplomacy involving the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, includes provisions for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the establishment of a reconstruction fund backed by international donors. Trump, addressing the gathering of world leaders, described the moment as "a deal 3,000 years in the making," emphasizing the collective effort to achieve peace after prolonged hostilities that claimed thousands of lives on both sides.

"This took guts, this took heart, and this took a lot of smart people working together," Trump said during the signing ceremony, flanked by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas representatives did not attend in person but signaled approval through Qatari mediators, confirming the release of the final 12 hostages as a goodwill gesture.

The deal's announcement came just hours before the first group of freed hostages—five Israeli citizens, including two children—boarded flights back to Tel Aviv, where families awaited their arrival amid emotional scenes broadcast live across the region. Palestinian officials, meanwhile, hailed the agreement as a "victory for diplomacy," with commitments for easing the Gaza blockade and initiating talks on a two-state solution within six months.

Trump's involvement underscores his administration's aggressive push for Middle East normalization, building on the Abraham Accords he championed during his first term. However, experts caution that fragile ceasefires in the region have unraveled before, with some allies expressing skepticism about long-term enforcement mechanisms. "This is a milestone, but the road to lasting peace is paved with more than signatures," said a senior European diplomat speaking anonymously.

The summit drew widespread international praise, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling it a "beacon of hope" in a statement released shortly after the signing. Protests in Gaza and Jerusalem, however, reflected divided sentiments, with some residents voicing concerns over reconstruction timelines and political concessions.

As the ink dried on the accord, Trump returned to Washington, D.C., touting the achievement as a cornerstone of his foreign policy legacy. The White House has scheduled a primetime address for Monday evening to outline next steps, including U.S. pledges of $500 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza.