In a historic development, Hamas has accepted a U.S.-brokered peace deal led by President Donald Trump, marking a major step toward ending the two-year war in Gaza. The agreement includes a complete ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a phased Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
The deal comes nearly two years after Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel — the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust — which ignited a prolonged and devastating conflict. Over the course of the war, thousands of lives were lost and Gaza plunged into a deep humanitarian crisis.
Trump announced the breakthrough Wednesday via Truth Social, stating:
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. 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.”
He went on to praise the mediators — Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey — and called the agreement a “GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.”
Preparations are reportedly underway for the official signing of the deal, expected to take place Thursday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Photographs from ongoing negotiations showed key players — including retired IDF General Nitzan Alon, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff — embracing as progress was confirmed.
Hamas officials, including senior leader Khalil al-Hayya, appeared in good spirits in photos emerging from the negotiation site.
Statements from All Sides
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the deal in a Hebrew-language statement:
“A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home… I thank President Trump and his team from the bottom of my heart for mobilizing for this sacred mission.”
Hamas issued its own statement, declaring the agreement a “responsible” outcome of serious negotiations and expressing gratitude to both regional mediators and Trump:
“We thank U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts to bring about a final end to the war… and call on all guarantor states to ensure Israel fulfills its commitments.”
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr. Majed al-Ansari also confirmed the agreement on social media, saying:
“An agreement was reached tonight on all terms and mechanisms for implementing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to stopping the war, releasing Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners, and allowing aid to enter.”
Deal Details and Unresolved Questions
While the full text of the agreement has not been made public, Israeli officials say the deal includes:
▪︎The release of all Israeli hostages within 72 hours
▪︎A full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza
▪︎Increased humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts
▪︎The return of the remains of deceased hostages (some believed buried under rubble)
The plan reportedly includes a prisoner exchange, with Israel agreeing to release up to 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 individuals detained after the October 2023 attacks.
In exchange, Hamas would begin disarmament and participate in a transitional governance plan for Gaza, led by a technocratic Palestinian committee. An international “Board of Peace” — chaired by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair — is proposed to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction.
Though Hamas has signaled hesitation about full disarmament and remains wary of potential future Israeli military action, it agreed to proceed with the framework presented by the Trump administration.
Families and Leaders React
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the agreement, calling it a “historic breakthrough.” In a public statement, the group thanked Trump and said:
“Our moral and national commitment is to bring them all home, both alive and fallen alike… We will not rest or be quiet until the return of the last hostage.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the agreement as a “blessing,” crediting IDF soldiers for their role in making the deal possible.
“I warmly embrace the families of the hostages as we anticipate the return of their loved ones,” Katz said in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter).
The Israel Defense Forces also released a statement celebrating the breakthrough and reaffirming their commitment to implementing the agreement.
Looking Ahead
Although many terms remain unclear — including how Gaza will be governed long-term and the specifics of Hamas’s disarmament — the peace deal has drawn wide support from regional and international actors.
Trump, who warned last week that failure to accept the agreement would result in full U.S. backing for renewed Israeli operations, emphasized that the plan offers Palestinians a real opportunity for peace without forced relocation or annexation.
“We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza,” the plan reads.
As the region awaits the next steps, the focus now turns to implementation — and whether this fragile peace can finally hold.
