US, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt Sign Landmark Gaza Ceasefire Deal into Effect

The fragile peace process in the Middle East has moved from negotiation to implementation as the key mediating nations—the United States, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt—have formally signed the Gaza ceasefire deal, activating the first phase of the U.S.-brokered plan. The signing, which took place as part of an ongoing international summit in Egypt, solidifies the commitment of the regional and global powers to ensure the two-year war does not resume.
The document, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump alongside leaders or high-level representatives from the three primary regional mediators, effectively serves as an international guarantee for the accord. This commitment was Hamas’s main demand during the tense negotiations: a binding assurance that Israel would not resume its bombardment and military operations once the hostages were released.
The Guarantors of Peace
The formal signing by these four nations—and likely others who are embedded in the multinational task force—elevates the agreement beyond a mere bilateral truce and establishes a robust monitoring framework:
◦ :us: United States (President Donald Trump): The primary architect of the peace plan and the central guarantor of its implementation. Trump’s involvement provides the necessary political and military leverage over Israel, as demonstrated by the immediate IDF redeployment orders.
◦ :flag-qa: Qatar: The key diplomatic channel to Hamas and a major financial and political backer of the deal’s transitional phase. Qatar’s role is critical for securing Hamas’s compliance and managing the financial flows for reconstruction.
◦ :flag-tr: Turkey: An influential regional actor and outspoken supporter of the Palestinian cause. Turkey’s participation provides political cover for Hamas and helps ensure compliance from the Palestinian factions.
◦ :flag-eg: Egypt: The essential geographical and logistical partner, which has hosted the negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh and will be crucial for managing the flow of aid, goods, and people into Gaza via the Rafah crossing.
The Ceasefire is Now in Effect
The official signing effectively starts the clock on the implementation of the ceasefire. Key actions are either immediately in effect or set to begin within a strict 72-hour window:
◦ Ceasefire Commences: All offensive military operations by the IDF and the Palestinian factions are suspended.
◦ IDF Withdrawal: Within 24 hours of the Israeli Cabinet’s approval, the IDF began its partial withdrawal to an agreed-upon line within the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government confirmed its forces would withdraw from populated centers while retaining control of key areas, consistent with the agreed-upon map.
◦ Hostage-Prisoner Exchange: The central act of Phase One—the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages (about 20) and the remains of the deceased—is set to occur within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking full effect. Simultaneously, Israel is preparing to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences. The release of the living hostages is expected to be completed by Monday or Tuesday.
◦ Aid Surge: The agreement triggers the immediate and full entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip, with the goal of rapidly scaling up deliveries of food, water, medicine, and fuel to halt the catastrophic famine conditions.
The Ongoing Political Summit
The signing took place during a major international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, co-chaired by President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The summit, attended by over 20 world leaders, including senior officials from France, the UK, and Saudi Arabia, serves two primary functions:
◦ Solidifying Phase One: Publicly cementing the ceasefire and the hostage-prisoner exchange with maximum international backing.
◦ Launching Phase Two Discussions: Transitioning the focus to the long-term, structural issues that the initial agreement deliberately postponed.
The key challenges that now face the international task force—which includes the newly deployed 200 U.S. troops who will staff the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC)—are formidable: enforcing the disarmament of Hamas, establishing a viable, technocratic Palestinian governing body for Gaza, and marshaling the billions of dollars required for reconstruction.
For now, the formal signing by the major global and regional players is a powerful signal of commitment to ending the two-year war and ushering in what President Trump has hailed as a new era of regional security.