As the Gaza conflict stretches into its second year, a glimmer of hope has emerged on the horizon—a near-complete peace deal, brokered through intensive U.S. diplomacy, that could reshape the future of the war-battered territory. On October 6, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made waves when he declared that the long-awaited Gaza peace agreement is “90% complete,” signaling the closest the region has come to ending its devastating war since the violence erupted in October 2023.
According to NBC News, Rubio’s announcement comes at a pivotal moment. Delegations from Hamas, Israel, and other Palestinian factions are set to convene in Cairo, Egypt, for what could be the final round of negotiations. The talks focus on a sweeping 20-point peace proposal crafted by U.S. President Donald Trump—a plan that, if successful, would see the release of Israeli hostages and the formation of a transitional Palestinian government, all under the watchful eye of an international board of peace.
“They have also agreed, in principle and generalities, to enter into this idea about what’s going to happen afterwards,” Rubio told NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ referencing Hamas’s acceptance of the basic framework. “A lot of details are going to have to be worked out there.” Yet, he cautioned, “No one can tell you it’s a 100 percent guarantee.”
The first phase of the proposed plan is straightforward, at least on paper: Hamas would release all hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack, in exchange for Israel withdrawing to the so-called ‘yellow line’—a demarcation within Gaza established in mid-August 2025. This would mark a significant reversal of the status quo, as Israel’s military presence has been a flashpoint for ongoing hostilities.
But what comes after the hostages are freed? That’s where the process gets tricky. Rubio emphasized that the next phase—establishing a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee to govern Gaza—is “even harder.” As he explained to Fox News, “How do you create this Palestinian technocratic leadership that’s not Hamas? How do you disarm any sort of terrorist groups that are going to be building tunnels and conducting attacks against Israel? How do you get them to demobilize?” For Rubio, these are the critical questions that must be answered if lasting peace is to be achieved.
President Trump’s plan, as detailed by multiple outlets including The Times of Israel and NBC News, is ambitious. It would establish a temporary governing board for Gaza, headed by Trump himself and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The plan’s stated goal is to transform Gaza into “a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors,” while pledging redevelopment “for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.”
International involvement is central to the proposal. Figures like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have represented the U.S. in the Cairo talks, with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing support for the plan. The international consortium—the so-called board of peace—would oversee not only the transition of power but also the daunting task of rebuilding Gaza’s shattered infrastructure and economy.
Rubio has praised the coalition of Arab nations brought together by Trump, describing it as essential for pushing the process forward. Yet, he’s quick to remind the world that “we’re not dealing with a political movement, we’re dealing with killers, savages, and terrorists. But what gives us hope is the coalition US President Donald Trump built that is pushing in the same direction with us to get the hostages released and the conflict resolved,” Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter).
World leaders have largely welcomed Hamas’s agreement to release the hostages as a “significant” step forward and the “best chance for peace” in the region. According to BBC News, President Trump himself stated that negotiations with Hamas and “countries from all over the world (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else)” have “been very successful, and proceeding rapidly.”
Despite this progress, the challenges are formidable. Deep-seated mistrust between Israel and Hamas threatens to derail the process at any moment. Rubio himself acknowledged, “You can’t set up a governance structure in Gaza that’s not Hamas in three days.” The technical and logistical hurdles of transferring power, disarming militant groups, and ensuring the legitimacy of a new government are immense.
There’s also the question of representation. Will the proposed technocratic committee truly reflect the will of the Palestinian people, or will it be seen as an external imposition? Critics, including some within Gaza, worry that sidelining Hamas entirely could lead to instability or even renewed violence. Still, proponents argue that a clean break from militant rule is the only way to secure a future for Gaza’s civilians.
The stakes could hardly be higher. The Gaza war, which began with a surprise Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has claimed the lives of 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals—including 815 civilians—and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages. The conflict has left Gaza’s population reeling, with infrastructure in ruins and the economy in tatters. For many, the promise of a new beginning under international stewardship is a rare ray of hope.
Yet, as Rubio made clear, “All that work, that’s going to be hard, but that’s critical, because without that, you’re not going to have lasting peace.” The technical talks in Cairo, which began in earnest on October 7, 2025, are expected to hammer out the remaining details. The U.S. is keen to see swift movement, with Rubio telling NBC that “we would know very quickly” whether Hamas is serious about its commitments.
For Israel, the deal offers a chance to enhance security and focus on other domestic and international challenges. For Palestinians, it could mean the dawn of a new era—one with the prospect of development, stability, and self-determination, free from the shadow of militancy. The international community, meanwhile, is watching closely, hoping that this fragile moment of consensus can be translated into lasting peace.
As the world waits for the outcome of these critical negotiations, one thing is certain: the decisions made in the coming days will reverberate far beyond Gaza’s borders, potentially setting a precedent for conflict resolution across the Middle East. Whether the promise of peace can overcome the weight of history remains to be seen, but for now, there is reason—however cautious—for optimism.
