In a stunning diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a United States-brokered peace deal, signaling a potential end to the two-year war that has ravaged Gaza and left tens of thousands dead. The historic accord, announced on October 9, 2025, marks the most significant progress toward peace in the region in years, with world leaders hailing the agreement as a "momentous development." But as celebrations break out in both Israel and Gaza, questions linger about the deal's durability and the long road ahead.
The agreement, crafted with intensive mediation by President Donald Trump and his peace team, centers on an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. According to TNND, the ceasefire is expected to take effect within 24 hours of Israel's formal ratification, with the Israeli government convening for a crucial vote on the evening of October 9. Once the ceasefire is in place, a 72-hour countdown will begin for Hamas to release approximately 20 living hostages, as well as the remains of 25 others believed to still be held in Gaza.
"We ended the war in Gaza and really on a much bigger basis created peace, and I think it's going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace. Peace in the Middle East," President Trump declared during a Cabinet meeting, as reported by TNND. He added, "We are getting the hostages back on Tuesday, Monday or Tuesday, and that'll be a day of joy. I'm gonna try and make a trip over." Trump’s anticipated visit to Israel and Egypt underscores the high stakes and personal investment in the deal’s success.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking after his government approved the first phase of the plan early on Friday morning, was effusive in his gratitude to the American mediators. "In the last two years, we’ve fought to achieve our war aims. And a central one of these war aims is to return the hostages. All of the hostages, the living and the dead. And we’re about to achieve that," Netanyahu said, as quoted by Channel 12. He specifically credited Trump and his team, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for their "extraordinary help" and tireless efforts. "That, and the courage of our soldiers who entered Gaza, had a combined military and diplomatic pressure that isolated Hamas. I believe these brought us to this point," Netanyahu remarked.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also welcomed the ceasefire, calling the moment historic and expressing hope for a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. "What happened today is a historic moment. We have been hoping – and continue to hope – that we can bring an end to the bloodshed taking place in our land, whether in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, or East Jerusalem," Abbas said in a rare interview with Channel 12. He added, "Today, we are very happy that the bloodshed has ceased. We hope it remains this way, and that peace, security, and stability will prevail between us and Israel." Abbas further confirmed that reforms within the Palestinian Authority were already underway, in line with Trump's calls for restructuring.
The first phase of the peace plan, as outlined by the Trump administration, includes not only the ceasefire and hostage release but also a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the reopening of key border crossings. The deal facilitates the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been devastated by the prolonged conflict. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, nearly 70,000 Palestinians have died since the war began, and the humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented levels.
The ceasefire agreement also stipulates that Israel will release a number of Palestinian prisoners and withdraw its forces to an agreed line inside Gaza. To ensure compliance, the United States will deploy around 200 troops to the Middle East to monitor the plan's implementation, though Washington has stressed that no American personnel will enter Gaza itself.
For many, the deal is a long-awaited glimmer of hope after years of bloodshed and failed negotiations. Former President Barack Obama took to social media to praise the impending ceasefire, writing, "After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight." Obama urged both sides to commit to rebuilding Gaza and achieving lasting peace.
Despite the optimism, experts and observers remain cautious. The agreement is just the first step in a comprehensive 20-point plan proposed by the Trump administration, which ultimately aims to rebuild Gaza without Hamas’s involvement. The timeline for subsequent phases, including disarmament and broader political reforms, remains unclear. "There will be disarming, there will be pullbacks, there will be a lot of things happening," Trump explained. "I gave you a whole list of 22 different things that will take place. And I think it will take place and I think we’ll end up with peace in the Middle East, but we have to get our hostages back and we weren’t going to do it at the end, we’re going to do it at the beginning."
Trump’s role in brokering the agreement has reignited debate over his legacy as a peacemaker. During his Cabinet meeting, he remarked, "I don’t know what they’re going to do, really, but I know this, that nobody in history has solved eight wars in a period of nine months and I’ve stopped eight wars." Yet, as The Economic Times notes, critics argue that the deal’s long-term viability is far from certain, and the Nobel Committee may be hesitant to award Trump the Peace Prize based on such a fragile foundation.
Beyond the accolades and political maneuvering, the fate of the agreement will hinge on the willingness of both sides to honor their commitments. Either party backing out could plunge the region back into chaos, a risk not lost on the deal’s architects. The United States has made clear its intention to monitor implementation closely, but the reality on the ground remains fraught with uncertainty.
As the world watches, the next few days will be critical. The release of the hostages—expected on Monday, October 13, or Tuesday, October 14—will serve as the first real test of the deal’s credibility. President Trump has been invited to speak at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, possibly as early as the weekend after the agreement’s ratification, a symbolic gesture underscoring the importance of American involvement.
For now, hope and skepticism coexist in equal measure. The ceasefire may just be a pause in a conflict with deep historical roots, or it could mark the beginning of a transformative era for Israelis and Palestinians alike. The coming days will reveal whether this "momentous development" is a genuine turning point—or merely another fleeting chapter in the region’s turbulent history.