After two brutal years of war, a fragile but historic breakthrough is unfolding in Gaza. Israeli and Hamas officials have confirmed the first phase of a ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump—centered on the imminent release of all remaining hostages. But with critical details still murky and deep mistrust lingering, the question remains: can this agreement hold?
What’s in the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal?
According to U.S. and Israeli officials, the initial phase includes:
- All ~20 living Israeli hostages in Gaza will be released at once—likely by Sunday.
- The remains of up to 28 deceased hostages will be returned in stages.
- Israel will pull back its troops to an “agreed-upon line” inside Gaza.
- Aid will begin flowing into the besieged enclave immediately.
- In return, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since October 7, 2023.
For every Israeli body returned, Israel will also hand over the remains of 15 deceased Gazans—a provision aimed at addressing Palestinian grief and reciprocity.
Why Now? The Qatar Airstrike That Changed Everything
The sudden breakthrough traces back to September 9, when Israel bombed a residential area in Doha, Qatar—home to senior Hamas negotiators. Though no one was killed, the strike enraged U.S. allies and embarrassed the Trump administration.
“Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States… does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” Trump posted at the time.
That diplomatic crisis became a turning point. Trump and his team, including envoy Steve Witkoff and former adviser Jared Kushner, intensified pressure on both sides. By late September, Trump unveiled his 20-point peace plan at the White House—with Netanyahu standing beside him.
Hamas’s Conditional Yes—and Israel’s Cabinet Vote
On October 4, Trump issued a stark ultimatum: “Many more of your fighters will be killed if you don’t agree by Sunday.”
Hamas responded the same day—not with rejection, but with conditional acceptance. It agreed to release all hostages but requested negotiations on implementation.
High-level talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, followed. On Wednesday, both sides announced a deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “critical turning point” and “a national and moral victory.” He convened his security cabinet on Thursday to formally approve the agreement.
Table: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire – Key Terms at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Hostage Release | ~20 living hostages released at once; up to 28 bodies returned in stages |
| Israeli Withdrawal | Troops pull back to agreed line (exact location undisclosed) |
| Prisoner Exchange | 250 life-sentence prisoners + 1,700 Gazans released by Israel |
| Aid Access | Humanitarian aid enters Gaza immediately |
| Governance Plan | Hamas removed; replaced by “technocratic committee” under U.S.-led “Board of Peace” |
What’s Still Missing?
Despite the optimism, major gaps remain:
- Disarmament: Hamas has never agreed to lay down arms—and no statement from any party mentions it.
- Gaza’s Future: Who will govern? How long will the “International Stabilization Force” stay?
- Timeline: When will full withdrawal happen? When will reconstruction begin?
Trump, in a celebratory Fox News interview, called the deal “peace in the Middle East” but offered few specifics—spending more time touting tariffs and National Guard deployments than explaining the peace framework.
Families React: Tears, Hope, and Caution
In Israel, families of hostages erupted in tears. “I am faithful that I will be able to see my brother’s smiling face,” said Pushpa Joshi, whose Nepali brother Bipin was taken on October 7, 2023.
But the Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned: “Any delay could exact a heavy toll on the hostages and soldiers.”
In Gaza, displaced teacher Montaser Bahja summed up the mood: “Joy for the end of the war and the killing, and sorrow for everything we’ve lost.”
What Comes Next?
If Israel’s cabinet ratifies the deal—and Hamas follows through—hostages could be home by the weekend. But long-term peace hinges on whether both sides can move beyond this first fragile step.
For now, after 730 days of war, the people of Gaza and Israel are allowing themselves a sliver of hope.
