A new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has sparked joy across Gaza and Israel, marking a breakthrough in efforts to end the devastating war. The announcement came after indirect talks in Egypt and is seen as a major diplomatic win for US President Donald Trump, who proposed the deal as part of his broader peace initiative.
First Phase of Ceasefire: Hostages, Prisoners, and Partial Withdrawal
Under the first phase of the agreement, fighting will stop, Israel will partially withdraw troops from Gaza, and Hamas will release Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
An Israeli official stated that all 20 surviving hostages could be released by Sunday or Monday, while Israeli forces would begin pulling back within 24 hours of the deal’s signing. The fate of 28 other hostages remains unclear — 26 have been declared dead, and two are still unaccounted for.
Although the signing was expected to take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, there was no immediate official confirmation. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza City, killing at least nine Palestinians in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Celebrations Erupt Amid Ongoing Strikes
Despite ongoing airstrikes, residents of Gaza and families in Israel erupted in celebration upon hearing news of the agreement.
“Thank God for the ceasefire,” said Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo in Khan Younis. “All of Gaza is happy, and so is the Arab world.”
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, Einav Zaugauker, whose son was kidnapped in the 2023 Hamas attack, was overwhelmed with emotion. “I can’t breathe… What do I say to him? Hug him. Kiss him. Tell him I love him.”
The deal was widely praised by Western and Arab nations, who had supported multiple failed ceasefire attempts. Trump declared it a “HISTORIC and UNPRECEDENTED event,” thanking mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
Unanswered Questions and Political Fallout
Though hailed as a breakthrough, the agreement leaves major questions unresolved, including:
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Who will govern Gaza after the war?
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Will Hamas be required to disarm?
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Will international bodies oversee Gaza’s administration?
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal a “diplomatic success”, but far-right members of his coalition oppose any agreement with Hamas. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowed not to support the deal unless Hamas is destroyed.
The next stage of Trump’s plan includes an international administration in Gaza, possibly led by Trump and Tony Blair, but Hamas has rejected any foreign governance and Blair’s involvement.
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. The Hamas attack that triggered the war killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages.
