After two years of devastating conflict, the war in the Gaza Strip has reached a definitive—though partial—conclusion with the official agreement of a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. The breakthrough, which signals the end of the deadliest chapter in Israeli-Palestinian history since the establishment of the Israeli state, was confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Hamas late Wednesday, and formally approved by the Israeli Cabinet early Friday morning.
The agreement, the first phase of the comprehensive Trump peace plan, sets in motion a sequence of events designed to bring immediate relief to the region, including the release of all remaining hostages and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the enclave. However, the most vexing, long-term questions—the future of Hamas and the governance of Gaza—have been punted to future negotiations.
The Core Terms: Hostages for Withdrawal
The deal, brokered through intensive indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, focuses on halting hostilities and a massive prisoner exchange.
◦ Hostage Release: Hamas has committed to releasing all remaining living Israeli hostages (estimated to be around 20 individuals) and the remains of deceased captives. The release of the living hostages is expected to be completed within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect, likely starting on Monday or Tuesday.
◦ Israeli Prisoner Release: In return, Israel will release a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This exchange includes 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and an additional 1,700 Gazans detained since the October 7, 2023, attacks, covering all women and children detained in that context.
◦ Ceasefire and Initial Withdrawal: The agreement mandates an immediate cessation of all military operations. Israel’s Cabinet approval started a 24-hour countdown for the ceasefire to go into effect, during which Israeli forces will execute a partial withdrawal to an “agreed-upon line.” This initial pull-back is expected to see the IDF relinquish control of most urban centers and parts of the Strip, while still maintaining control of approximately half of the enclave and key border areas.
◦ Humanitarian Aid Surge: Upon implementation, the deal guarantees an immediate, large-scale surge of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, including fuel for critical infrastructure like hospitals and bakeries, and heavy equipment needed for rubble removal and reconstruction.
A Historic Ending to Two Years of Conflict
The ceasefire marks a massive turning point after two years of war that devastated Gaza, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and left the Israeli home front deeply scarred by the ongoing hostage crisis.
◦ Trump’s Role: U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced the initial agreement, hailed the deal as the “first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” crediting the relentless diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and its Arab and Muslim allies.
◦ Global Reaction: The agreement was met with jubilant celebrations in parts of Gaza and a palpable sense of relief among hostage families in Israel. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the deal, expressing hope that it would be a prelude to a permanent political solution leading to an independent Palestinian state.
◦ U.S. Support: The U.S. Central Command confirmed it is establishing a civil-military coordination center in Israel, staffed by about 200 U.S. service members, to support stabilization efforts and monitor the ceasefire’s implementation, though they will not enter Gaza.
The Looming Phase Two: Unresolved Existential Issues
Despite the initial breakthrough, the agreement is only for the first phase, and the path to a permanent, stable peace remains fraught with difficulty. The fundamental, existential issues that the deal intentionally left unresolved will dominate the subsequent, and likely far tougher, Phase Two negotiations:
◦ Disarmament of Hamas: The U.S. plan calls for Gaza to be a “deradicalized terror-free zone” and for Hamas to disarm. However, the current deal sets no timeline or mechanism for this. Hamas has resisted surrendering its weapons, viewing them as its ultimate tool of resistance.
◦ Future Governance of Gaza: The partial Israeli withdrawal will create a political vacuum. The plan proposes a transitional government of Palestinian technocrats overseen by an international body. Hamas has agreed to step aside from governance but is not expected to simply dissolve its political or military structure, setting up a clash over the permanent governing authority for the post-war Strip.
The end of the two-year war is a monumental achievement, securing the safe return of hostages and a halt to the violence. However, the ultimate success of the Trump peace plan will depend on the ability of international mediators to compel both sides to make the profound compromises necessary to address the root causes of the conflict in the second phase.
Footage Charlie Kirk has been shot
Charlie Kirk has been shot
