Israel–Hamas ceasefire brings hope for Gaza peace as Trump travels to Israel and Egypt to oversee the first phase of the 20-point plan and the release of hostages.
US President Donald Trump has declared that the Gaza war is over as he flies to Israel to oversee the release of hostages under the recently agreed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Speaking on board Air Force One, Trump praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar, one of the key mediators, for their roles in brokering the agreement.
The ceasefire took effect on Friday, marking the first phase of a 20-point peace plan negotiated by Trump. While details of later phases, such as Gaza governance, troop withdrawals, and Hamas disarmament, remain to be settled, the current agreement has already set the stage for critical humanitarian and diplomatic steps.
Trump said the ceasefire would hold, adding: “Everybody is happy, and I think it’s going to stay that way.” He also outlined plans for a supervisory body, the Board of Peace, to oversee Gaza’s recovery and stabilization.
Under the deal:
- 20 Israeli hostages are expected to be released alive, with remains of 28 deceased hostages also handed over.
- Israel will release approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
- Increased humanitarian aid will enter the Strip once hostages safely return to Israel.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel and left 251 hostages taken. Israel’s military response has claimed the lives of more than 67,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children, according to Hamas-run health authorities.
Trump is set to address the Israeli Knesset on Monday, followed by a summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, alongside President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Leaders from over 20 countries, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, are expected to attend. A document officially ending the Gaza war is anticipated to be signed at the summit.
Amid the global diplomatic effort, Iran has voiced interest in the initiative, calling for measures to end what it describes as “Israel’s genocide in Gaza” while insisting it will not engage with countries threatening Iranian citizens.
With the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release underway, Trump expressed optimism about Gaza’s future, calling the region a potential “miracle” over the coming decades, while emphasizing that peace and normalization could soon take root.