Hamas Agrees to Trump-Brokered Peace Deal to End Gaza War and Release Hostages
Hamas has agreed to a peace deal championed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the two-year war in Gaza and release the remaining hostages held since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. The agreement represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict began, offering a glimmer of hope for peace after one of the bloodiest chapters in modern Middle Eastern history.
The announcement comes two years after the terrorist group’s surprise assault on southern Israel — an attack that killed 1,139 people and led to the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. The massacre, followed by Israel’s massive military response, triggered a devastating war that has left tens of thousands dead and much of the Gaza Strip in ruins.
Trump Announces Breakthrough on Truth Social
President Trump made the announcement on Wednesday via Truth Social, declaring that both Israel and Hamas had “signed off on the first phase of our Peace Plan.”
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump wrote. “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
The post immediately drew global attention, marking a rare moment of cautious optimism in a conflict that has claimed more than 67,000 lives in Gaza, according to local health officials, and displaced over two million people.
Hostage Release Expected Monday
Speaking later in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump said he expects the hostages to be released on Monday. While he did not confirm whether he would personally travel to the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended an invitation for Trump to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Sunday.
If the trip materializes, it would mark Trump’s first visit to Israel since returning to office, and a moment of immense symbolism given his administration’s central role in brokering the peace framework.
According to officials familiar with the talks, the agreement’s first phase will include a full ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. A second phase is expected to outline long-term governance arrangements and security guarantees.
Negotiations in Egypt Lead to Breakthrough
The agreement was finalized following several days of intense negotiations in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Diplomatic photos circulated just moments before Trump’s announcement appeared to show a celebratory mood inside the negotiation room.
Images captured senior Israeli and Qatari officials embracing and shaking hands as reports indicated that a deal was near. Retired Israeli General Nitzan Alon, who has led Israel’s hostage recovery efforts, was seen shaking hands with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. In the background, Trump’s special envoy for Middle East peace, Steven Witkoff, was visible, underscoring Washington’s central role in the talks.
Egyptian and Qatari mediators have reportedly been instrumental in bridging the final gaps between the two sides, particularly around the sequencing of the hostage exchange and Israel’s troop withdrawal timeline.
Netanyahu Hails a “Great Day for Israel”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the deal as “a great day for Israel,” praising the agreement as a major achievement for the country and its people.
“The return of our hostages has been our top priority since the first day of this war,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. “This agreement is an important and historic step toward bringing them home and ensuring Israel’s long-term security.”
Netanyahu also thanked President Trump for his leadership and for “standing firmly with Israel during these difficult times.” The Israeli leader announced that he would convene his cabinet on Thursday to formally approve the agreement before implementation begins.
However, some members of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition have expressed reservations about the plan, arguing that a troop withdrawal from parts of Gaza could endanger Israel’s security. Political analysts say Netanyahu will likely face domestic political challenges even as the agreement garners broad international praise.
Hamas Statement and Terms of the Deal
In Gaza, Hamas confirmed its participation in the agreement, issuing a statement that declared an “end to the war on Gaza, the occupation’s withdrawal from it, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange.” The group called the deal a “victory for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people” and urged international mediators to ensure Israel’s full compliance.
According to officials involved in the negotiations, the first phase of the peace plan includes:
- Immediate and comprehensive ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces.
- Release of all surviving hostages held in Gaza, in exchange for several hundred Palestinian prisoners.
- Gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops to agreed security lines within Gaza.
- Opening of humanitarian corridors to allow food, medicine, and reconstruction materials into the enclave.
- Preparations for a second phase addressing governance, reconstruction, and demilitarization.
The initial implementation of the agreement will be monitored by international observers, including representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.
Humanitarian Crisis and Global Response
The conflict has caused catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza. More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 170,000 wounded, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Thousands more remain missing beneath the rubble of destroyed neighborhoods.
The United Nations has described the situation as “one of the gravest humanitarian crises of the 21st century,” citing widespread food insecurity, water contamination, and the collapse of medical infrastructure.
International leaders and organizations have welcomed the ceasefire announcement. The United Nations, European Union, and Arab League all issued statements urging both parties to fully implement the agreement and to begin broader discussions toward a permanent peace.
President Trump’s administration has hailed the deal as a “monumental achievement” that could serve as the foundation for lasting stability in the Middle East. White House officials confirmed that Trump has personally spoken with both Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Al-Thani to thank them for their efforts and cooperation.
A Fragile but Historic Step
Despite global optimism, diplomats and analysts remain cautious. Previous ceasefires between Israel and Hamas have collapsed amid mistrust and disputes over compliance. Both sides still face hardline factions that may oppose concessions or use violence to derail progress.
Still, after two years of relentless war, the new ceasefire marks a potential turning point. For the families of hostages and the millions of civilians caught in the crossfire, it offers a long-awaited moment of relief.
As President Trump wrote in his announcement:
“This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America… Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Whether this peace will hold remains uncertain — but for now, the guns are expected to fall silent, and a measure of hope has returned to one of the world’s most battered regions.
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