TL;DR: Israel and Hamas have agreed to a U.S.-mediated peace plan's first phase, including a ceasefire, hostage-prisoner exchange, and Israeli troop withdrawal. Hostage release begins Saturday.
Key Points of the Agreement
- Ceasefire Begins:
- Hostage and Prisoner Exchange:
- Israeli Troop Withdrawal:
- Humanitarian Aid Access:
- Security Measures:
A full ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 9, 2025, at noon Cairo time. Both sides agreed to halt all military operations.
Hamas will release 48 Israeli hostages (20 believed alive, 28 deceased) in phases, starting Saturday, October 11.
In return, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including detainees held without formal charges.
Israeli forces will begin a phased withdrawal to a "Yellow Line" inside Gaza. Full withdrawal will be gradual and verified.
Aid will enter Gaza without restrictions through UN and Red Crescent channels via the Rafah crossing. Supplies include food, medicine, and rebuilding equipment.
Initial demolition of Hamas tunnels and weapons sites in areas vacated by Israeli troops. No full disarmament yet, but Hamas committed to halting reconstruction of military infrastructure.
Background and Mediation
- Deal Framework:
- Negotiations:
- Trump’s Statement:
The agreement is based on President Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, announced September 29, 2025, aiming for a "Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace."
The deal was finalized on October 8, 2025, after indirect talks in Egypt, mediated by the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
President Trump called it "the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace" and posted "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS" on social media.
- U.S. Confirmation:
A senior U.S. official stated on October 8, "The war in Gaza is over," pending full implementation.
Reactions from Parties Involved
- Israel:
- Hamas:
- Palestinian Authority:
- International:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a great day for Israel” and a “window of opportunity” for hostage recovery and security.
Confirmed the deal, saying it includes "an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange."
President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the ceasefire and aid but emphasized no displacement or annexation.
Qatar, Egypt, UN, and countries like Australia and Brazil praised the agreement. Some Palestinian factions criticized the deal for lacking a full withdrawal timeline.
Next Steps and Challenges
- Further Phases Needed:
- Implementation Risks:
- Ongoing Monitoring:
Future negotiations will address Hamas disarmament, Gaza governance, and reconstruction oversight.
Ceasefire enforcement, verification of hostage status, and political disagreements could still derail progress.
Aid convoys and technical teams are mobilizing as of October 9, with updates expected through official channels.