In a significant diplomatic turn, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have both committed to the inaugural phase of a comprehensive peace strategy for Gaza. Brokered through multi-day negotiations in Egypt involving Qatari, Turkish, and American mediators, the deal aims to halt a two-year conflict that has caused staggering loss of life.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the news as a historic achievement and has scheduled an immediate cabinet meeting to ratify the agreement, which is expected to trigger a ceasefire by 14:00 Jerusalem time today.
The first phase of the agreement prioritizes a critical exchange: the release of all 48 hostages currently held in Gaza – including 20 believed to be alive – in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Concurrently, the Israeli military will begin withdrawing to a demarcated “yellow line,” and the flow of humanitarian aid will surge to 400 trucks daily.
While the plan addresses the immediate cessation of hostilities and troop movement, complex issues such as the permanent disarmament of Hamas and the long-term governance of the territory remain subject to future negotiation.
Amidst the diplomatic optimism, the humanitarian crisis remains acute, with a reported death toll exceeding 67,000 and a documented famine in Gaza City. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has pledged the organization’s full support to scale up relief efforts, urging all parties to strictly honor the terms of the truce.
President Trump has framed the deal as the beginning of a “different world” for the Middle East, suggesting that regional wealth will eventually be channeled into a massive reconstruction effort once stability is secured.
