A ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas, reached after intense negotiations in Egypt, marks a major diplomatic breakthrough and a potential first step toward ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza. The agreement, negotiated with heavy mediation by Egypt, Qatar and Turkey and driven by unprecedented personal involvement from US President Donald Trump, lays out an initial phase of prisoner swaps, hostage returns and limited Israeli troop withdrawals, while significantly increasing humanitarian access to Gaza.
What was agreed
- Hostage releases: The deal’s outline calls for the immediate release of the roughly 20 hostages believed to be alive, with the remains of up to 28 deceased captives returned in stages.
- Prisoner exchanges: Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails as part of the phased arrangement.
- Military posture: Israeli forces will withdraw from parts of Gaza in tandem with the phased releases.
- Humanitarian access: An increase in international aid into Gaza is included to address the territory’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
How the deal happened
President Donald Trump personally pressed both sides to reach an agreement, using American leverage to compel Israel to engage and threatening Hamas with severe consequences. Arab and Muslim states embraced the US-led initiative while Egypt, Qatar and Turkey played active mediation roles in the negotiations. The White House unveiled the first-phase plan publicly last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing alongside the president.
Political stakes and motivations
- For Trump: The agreement represents a major diplomatic prize for a leader seeking credit for ending the war and who has publicly signalled ambitions for international recognition.
- For Netanyahu: The prime minister’s involvement came after months of accusations that he had previously obstructed dealmaking; the current agreement forces him to reconcile coalition pressures with public fatigue over the war.
- For Hamas: Releasing hostages will cost Hamas critical bargaining leverage, so the group has demanded binding guarantees that Israel will not resume offensive operations once captives are freed.
Human cost that frames the deal
Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas’s attacks on 7 October 2023, when roughly 1,200 people—mostly Israeli civilians—were killed and 251 were taken hostage. The Gaza offensive has resulted in devastating civilian losses, the destruction of much of the territory and a severe humanitarian emergency. Palestinians have suffered large-scale casualties and infrastructure loss, while Israelis continue to live under the trauma of mass attacks and the ongoing threat of hostilities.
Public reactions on both sides
- In Gaza: People celebrated the announcement, expressing hope the deal will end their daily suffering and allow desperately needed aid to flow.
- In Israel: Crowds gathered in Hostages Square, reflecting relief at the prospect of returns and a widespread desire to end the conflict; polls indicate most Israelis want the war to stop.
- Political reaction: Netanyahu hailed the announcement as a “diplomatic and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel,” while hardline coalition partners have threatened to quit if the government concedes what they view as too much.
Remaining obstacles and uncertainty
Crucial issues remain unresolved and could derail any long-term peace. These include the core Israeli demand for Hamas disarmament, the precise scope and timing of Israeli withdrawals, the governance of Gaza after a cessation of hostilities and legally enforceable guarantees that fighting will not resume. Past ceasefires that collapsed—most notably a breakdown in March followed by renewed Israeli strikes—fuel deep mistrust on both sides and increase the fragility of any deal.
Short-term outlook
The agreement establishes only the first phase of a larger, still-undefined settlement. Immediate humanitarian relief and the return of living hostages would be tangible, morale-changing outcomes. Long-term stability depends on negotiation of disarmament mechanisms, credible enforcement of a ceasefire, a political arrangement for Gaza and the ability of political leaders in Israel and the region to absorb domestic blowback.
Bottom line
The Egypt-mediated deal is a significant diplomatic step that could ease immediate human suffering and open the door to broader negotiations, but it is not a guarantee of lasting peace. The agreement’s success will hinge on delivering promised exchanges and protections on the ground and on whether regional and domestic political forces will allow the process to continue toward a final settlement.
