U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal, potentially ending a devastating two-year war that has killed tens of thousands and created a humanitarian catastrophe .
The breakthrough came after three days of indirect talks in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh, with mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey working alongside American officials. President Trump announced the development on his Truth Social platform, calling it a "historic and unprecedented event" and the "first steps toward a strong, durable and everlasting peace" .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the agreement, calling it a "diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel" . Hamas also acknowledged the deal, stating it values "the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war completely and achieving a full withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip" .
The agreement sets in motion a process that will see the release of all remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to agreed-upon positions, and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails . The first phase also includes provisions for significantly increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, where most infrastructure lies in ruins and the population faces severe food and medicine shortages .
If implemented as planned, this agreement would represent the most significant step toward ending the conflict that began after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw about 250 taken hostage . Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with the United Nations and international organizations considering these figures reliable .
The Agreement Specifics
The ceasefire deal includes several immediate components that will unfold in coming days. Hamas is expected to release the 20 Israeli hostages believed to still be alive in Gaza, possibly as soon as Monday according to President Trump . The remains of up to 28 deceased captives will also be returned in stages .
In exchange, Israel will release between 1,700 and 1,950 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails . This includes approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners held before the war and about 1,700 Gaza detainees arrested since the conflict began .
Israeli forces will withdraw from parts of Gaza to "an agreed-upon line," though the exact boundaries remain unclear . Israeli media reports suggest Israel will maintain control over more than half of Gaza territory initially . The Israeli military says it has already begun preparations to "adjust deployment lines" in anticipation of the ceasefire taking effect .
Component Details Timeline
Hostage Release 20 living hostages plus remains of 28 deceased Within 72 hours of deal signing
Prisoner Exchange 1,700-1,950 Palestinian prisoners released To coincide with hostage return
Troop Withdrawal Israeli forces pull back to agreed positions Begins immediately after ceasefire
Humanitarian Aid Significant increase in food, medicine, shelter To begin immediately after ceasefire
Implementation Timeline
The Israeli government was scheduled to meet Thursday at 5:00 p.m. Jerusalem time (15:00 BST) to vote on formally approving the agreement . Officials familiar with the process said the deal was "virtually certain to pass" despite opposition from far-right coalition partners .
Once the Israeli cabinet approves the deal, a ceasefire will take immediate effect . The Israeli prime minister's office said a 72-hour countdown for the hostages held by Hamas to be returned will then begin .
A senior White House official told CBS News that Israeli troops would likely take less than 24 hours to finish withdrawing from agreed areas once the process begins . The actual hostage and prisoner exchange is expected to occur within 72 hours of the deal being signed .
U.S. officials including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former senior advisor to the president and his son-in-law, were scheduled to travel to Israel to help oversee implementation . President Trump himself suggested he might visit the region soon, possibly as early as Sunday .
International Reaction and Mediation
World leaders and international organizations quickly welcomed the ceasefire agreement. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he welcomed the "desperately needed breakthrough" and urged all parties to "abide fully by the terms of the agreement" .
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, whose country hosted the talks, called the agreement a "historic moment" that "not only closes the chapter of war; it also opens the door of hope for the peoples of the region for a future defined by justice and stability" .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed "great satisfaction" with the agreement and thanked President Trump for "demonstrating the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire" . Qatar's Foreign Ministry also acknowledged the agreement, with spokesman Majed al-Ansari noting that "details will be announced later" .
European leaders joined the chorus of approval. The EU's foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas called the agreement a "significant breakthrough" and a "real chance to end a devastating war" . French officials announced they would host a meeting in Paris on Thursday with Arab and European nations to discuss "day after" plans for Gaza .
Not all initial reaction was positive. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would vote against the deal and called for Hamas's eradication after hostages return . His opposition highlights the political challenges Netanyahu faces within his coalition government.
Celebration and Caution in Region
News of the agreement sparked immediate celebrations in both Gaza and Israel, though reactions were tempered by caution after previous failed ceasefire attempts .
In Gaza, spontaneous celebrations broke out despite the late hour. "Thank God for the ceasefire. The end of the bloodshed and the killing," one young man in Khan Yunis told Reuters . Another added, "We're very happy that the war stopped. This is something joyful for us" .
Palestinians expressed mixed emotions, however. "We believe and don't believe. We have mixed feelings, between happiness and sadness, memories, everything is mixed," said Eyad Amawi, a Palestinian aid coordinator displaced in central Gaza . Many Gazans worried about whether the ceasefire would hold and what would come next for their devastated territory.
In Israel, crowds gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, waving Israeli and American flags and chanting "We love Trump" . Families of hostages expressed relief and cautious optimism. "It's a magical day," said one woman at the gathering, with 50-year-old Yael adding, "I'm very excited - it's such a relief. We need to see them come back home to their families" .
Some hostage families noted the bittersweet nature of the moment. Steve Brisley, whose relative Yossi Sharabi's body remains in Gaza, said "There's relief. It feels unreal. This will give Yossi the dignity he deserves and our family closure to this chapter of the nightmare" .
Humanitarian Crisis and Reconstruction
The ceasefire announcement brings potential relief to Gaza's 2.3 million residents, who have endured what the United Nations calls a catastrophic humanitarian crisis . The World Health Organization reported this week that 400 Gazans had died of malnutrition since the start of the year, a quarter of them children . A study published in the Lancet medical journal estimated that 55,000 Gazan children under 6 are acutely malnourished .
The United Nations said it has 170,000 tons of relief supplies, including food, medicine and tents, ready for delivery to Gaza as soon as Israeli authorities give approval . Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of UNRWA, said the agency has enough supplies to support Gaza's entire population for three months "ready to go" .
"The nightmare has gone on too long. But now, there's a chance - a real chance - to turn the tide. Every minute counts. Let this be the moment we choose humanity," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said in a statement .
Rebuilding Gaza's devastated infrastructure represents a monumental challenge. Much of the territory lies in ruins, with homes, hospitals, schools and basic utilities destroyed or severely damaged after two years of bombardment . The United Nations and its partners are "once again scaling up humanitarian operations in Gaza" according to a UN statement .
Challenges Ahead
While the initial phase of the agreement appears set for implementation, numerous challenges remain for achieving a lasting peace. Several thorny issues were notably absent from the initial agreement, including the disarmament of Hamas and plans for post-war governance of Gaza .
Hamas has repeatedly refused to give up its weapons, while Israel insists the group must be disarmed for long-term security . The future governance of Gaza also remains contested, with Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel all having different visions for who should control the territory after the war .
Middle East expert Fawaz Gerges warned that Trump's peace plan "is littered with minefields," telling DW that "Will Hamas disarm? I doubt it very much. Will Israel basically pull out all its forces from Gaza? I doubt it very much" .
Netanyahu also faces political pressure from his right flank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has already declared he will vote against the deal, though he stopped short of threatening to topple the government . Other far-right coalition partners may follow, potentially endangering Netanyahu's majority in parliament.
For Hamas, releasing the hostages means losing significant leverage in future negotiations. The group has demanded guarantees that Israel will not resume fighting once captives are freed, noting that Israel broke a previous ceasefire in March with devastating air strikes .
A Fragile Hope
The agreement represents the most significant breakthrough in the two-year conflict, offering hope to civilians on both sides after immense suffering. The coming days will test whether the initial ceasefire can hold and evolve into a more durable peace.
As the United Nations emergency aid chief Tom Fletcher stated: "Let's get the hostages out and surge aid in — fast. For our plan to succeed, we need: open crossings; safe movement for civilians and aid workers; unrestricted entry of goods; visas for staff; the space for humanitarians to operate; and the private sector to be revived" .
The world will now watch to see if this agreement marks the beginning of the end of one of the 21st century's most destructive conflicts, or merely another pause in the violence.