Israel and Hamas Reach Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza Under Trump's Pressure
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement in Gaza on Thursday following intense pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. This represents a significant step towards ending two years of destructive warfare in the Palestinian territory.
A Palestinian source close to the situation told AFP that the agreement will be signed on Thursday in Egypt after four days of indirect marathon negotiations between the parties involved at the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, which included several international actors, including the United States.
The activation time of the ceasefire will be announced on the same day, and living hostages, kidnapped during an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, will be released "depending on the conditions on the ground" in Gaza, according to a source from the Palestinian movement.
Describing it as "a great day for Israel," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene his cabinet to "ratify the agreement and bring back all our precious hostages." His far-right ministers have so far refused to halt the offensive in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed.
Launched in response to the October 7 attack, the Israeli offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and caused a humanitarian disaster. On Thursday, local Civil Defense reported continued Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip.
Trump expressed pride in announcing that "both Israel and Hamas have accepted the first phase" of his plan. "This means that ALL hostages will be released very soon and that Israel will withdraw its troops (from Gaza) to the agreed line, the first steps towards a solid and lasting peace."
He estimated on Fox News that the hostages would be "back by Monday," including "the bodies of the (deceased) hostages." Before announcing the agreement, Trump mentioned a possible visit to the Middle East this weekend.
Of the 251 people taken hostage during the October 7 attack, 47 are still held in Gaza, of whom at least 25 have died according to the army.
- Israeli Redeployment -
As part of the agreement, the Israeli army announced it is preparing to redeploy its troops in the Gaza Strip, which it controls about 75% of.
According to a Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations, living hostages will be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, "simultaneously with specific Israeli withdrawals (from Gaza) and an entry of (more) humanitarian aid" into the Palestinian territory. He did not mention the deceased hostages.
In a statement, Hamas announced it has reached an agreement that "envisions the end of the war in Gaza, the Israeli withdrawal from the territory, the release of (the hostages), and the entry of humanitarian aid."
The movement calls on Trump and "the guarantor countries of the agreement not to allow (Israel) to evade or procrastinate in implementing what has been agreed upon."
Following the announcement, a wave of joy mixed with apprehension swept through Al-Mawassi, a southern sector of the Gaza Strip where tens of thousands of displaced people are gathered.
"I am really happy that the war is coming to an end, but at the same time, I am afraid of a return to hostilities as during the (two) previous ceasefires. This time, I hope the nightmare will end," said Tareq al-Farra to AFP.
- Two Previous Ceasefires -
The Trump plan announced on September 29 provides for a ceasefire, an exchange of hostages taken on October 7, 2023, for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a phased withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, and the disarmament of Hamas.
Hamas agreed to release the hostages but also demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It did not mention its own disarmament, which is a key point of the proposal.
Netanyahu has emphasized that his army will remain in most of Gaza and reiterated that Hamas must be disarmed.
Two previous ceasefires in November 2023 and early 2025 allowed for the return of hostages or the bodies of captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners before collapsing.
The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to a toll established by AFP based on official data. Of the 251 people kidnapped that day, 47 are still hostages in Gaza, of whom at least 25 have died according to the army.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has devastated the territory, resulting in, according to the Hamas health ministry, over 67,183 deaths, mostly civilians.
The UN has declared a state of famine in part of Gaza, and its investigators claim that Israel is committing genocide there, assertions rejected by Israel.
