In a historic breakthrough, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a sweeping ceasefire deal that promises to end two years of devastating conflict in the Gaza Strip, secure the release of hostages and prisoners, and set the stage for a new phase of governance and reconstruction. The agreement, ratified by the Israeli government on October 10, 2025, and signed by negotiators from both sides in Cairo the previous day, is the first major step under U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitious peace initiative for the region.
According to CBC News, the Israeli cabinet approved the deal early Friday morning, less than a day after mediators announced the landmark agreement. The deal stipulates that hostilities in Gaza will cease within 24 hours of ratification, with Israeli hostages held in Gaza to be freed within 72 hours after that. The move comes after a war that has claimed the lives of over 67,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.
Celebrations erupted across both Israel and Gaza as news of the deal broke. In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where families have gathered for months in hope and anguish, Einav Zaugauker, whose son Matan is among the last hostages, expressed overwhelming relief. “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t explain what I’m feeling ... it’s crazy,” she told CBC News.
On the other side of the divide, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, the mood was cautiously optimistic. Mahmoud Abdullah, a 27-year-old who had been displaced more than ten times since the war began, shared his hopes with a CBC freelance videographer: “Everything that happened, it’s over? No more bombing, no more drones, no displacement, no hunger ... All these things are over?”
The details of the agreement are complex and far-reaching. As reported by The Times of Israel, the deal will see the return of all 48 hostages held by terror groups in Gaza, with about 20 believed to be alive. In exchange, Israel will release approximately 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 detained during the war. The agreement also requires Israel to release the bodies of 15 dead Palestinians for each deceased hostage returned by Hamas.
The ceasefire is set to come into immediate effect following cabinet approval, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) retreating to agreed-upon deployment lines within 24 hours. The IDF will maintain control of about 53 percent of Gaza’s territory, focusing on buffer zones along the border, including the Philadelphi Corridor, Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, parts of Gaza City outskirts, Rafah, and Khan Younis. This partial withdrawal is designed to facilitate the safe handover of hostages and the flow of humanitarian aid, while also maintaining a security presence in key areas.
The process of releasing hostages is meticulously choreographed. Within 72 hours of the IDF’s retreat, Hamas will begin releasing the living hostages, handing them over to Red Cross representatives and then to IDF troops inside Gaza. Hamas has agreed not to hold ceremonies during the handover, while the bodies of slain hostages will be received by troops in Gaza, with a small ceremony led by a military rabbi before the caskets are examined for security.
For the families of the hostages, the uncertainty remains agonizing. Twenty-two Israeli hostages are still believed to be alive, while 26 are presumed dead, including Hadar Goldin, who died in 2014 and whose remains are believed to be in Gaza. The recovery of the bodies of the dead may take longer, as Hamas has indicated it does not know the location of some remains. To address this, a joint task force comprising Israel, the United States, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt will work to locate the bodies of deceased hostages whose whereabouts are unknown.
On the Palestinian side, the prisoner release is both a cause for relief and a source of lingering pain. Magdy Abu Ayada, a Gaza resident who lost his father and other family members during the conflict, told CBC News, “What do you want me to go back to ... My destroyed home? To my neighbourhood with no water or internet or anything? I don’t want to go back.” The list of Palestinian prisoners to be released was still being finalized as of Thursday night, with sensitive discussions delaying the Israeli cabinet meeting. Notably, Israel has stated that prominent Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti will not be part of the release, despite his popularity and potential to unify Palestinian factions.
The ceasefire deal is only the first phase of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza. The broader framework calls for Hamas’s disarmament, the Strip’s demilitarization, and the installation of a transitional “technocratic” governing body composed of qualified Palestinians and international experts. This interim government would operate under the oversight of a newly formed “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump and including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as other yet-to-be-named heads of state. Hamas, under the terms of the deal, would have no role—directly or indirectly—in Gaza’s governance.
Despite the optimism, significant challenges remain. The agreement leaves unresolved the final governance structure for Gaza, the timeline for a full Israeli withdrawal, and the fate of Hamas. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, speaking to Fox News, emphasized that Israel has “no intention to renew the war” but stressed that other parts of the plan, including a full withdrawal and Hamas’s disarmament, are conditional. “Israel must do things, but there are parts Hamas must do. Hamas must disarm; we should implement all parts of the plan,” he said.
International involvement is expected to increase in the coming weeks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey will participate in efforts to monitor the ceasefire’s implementation and contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza. Meanwhile, fleets of trucks carrying food and medical aid are poised to surge into Gaza, aiming to relieve the suffering of hundreds of thousands of civilians sheltering in tents after the destruction of their homes and cities.
The war has deeply affected not only the people of Israel and Gaza but also the broader Middle East, drawing in Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon, and straining the U.S.-Israeli relationship. As CBC News noted, the conflict has left Israel increasingly isolated on the world stage and tested longstanding alliances.
While the ceasefire and prisoner exchange represent a dramatic shift, the road ahead is uncertain. Negotiations for the next phase of the peace plan are set to begin soon after the hostages are released, but questions remain about the ultimate fate of Hamas, the prospects for Palestinian statehood, and the reconstruction of Gaza. For now, though, a fragile hope has emerged from the ashes of war, offering a rare moment of respite for families on both sides of the conflict.