Hamas And Israel Agree To Ceasefire And Hostage Release Under Trump’s 20-Point Plan

In what could mark a turning point in one of the most devastating conflicts of the decade, Hamas and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire deal brokered under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Middle East peace plan. The agreement, reached after marathon talks in Egypt, includes the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from key areas.

The deal is being described as the first real breakthrough after two years of relentless fighting that has killed tens of thousands and reduced much of Gaza to rubble. For many Palestinians, it’s a rare moment of optimism after years of trauma.

“When I heard the news, I couldn’t hold back. Tears of joy flowed,” said displaced Gazan resident Samer Joudeh. “We’ve lived through bombing, terror, and destruction every day. Now we finally feel like we’re getting a moment of respite.”

What The Ceasefire Entails

According to details shared by negotiators, Hamas will release all hostages within days, starting with 20 surviving captives who will be exchanged for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first phase of the agreement. In total, 250 of those prisoners are serving life sentences, while the rest have been detained since the war began.

In return, Israel will begin pulling its forces back to a pre-agreed line, and international aid convoys will surge into Gaza to address the deepening humanitarian crisis. The United States, Trump confirmed, will take part in Gaza’s reconstruction and “help keep it safe and peaceful.”

“I believe all the hostages will be coming back on Monday,” Trump told reporters. He added that Washington would monitor the truce and work alongside Egypt and Qatar to ensure its implementation.

How The Deal Came Together

Sources close to the talks revealed that Egyptian and Qatari mediators played a crucial role in bridging gaps between the two sides. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was seen delivering an urgent note to Trump at the White House just hours before the final agreement was reached, signaling the high-stakes diplomacy at play.

Trump said he might travel to the region “toward the end of the week” and could visit both Egypt and Gaza. His plan calls for a complete ceasefire, Hamas’s disarmament, and a phased Israeli withdrawal all intended to pave the way for long-term peace.

Background: Two Years Of Devastation

The war began in October 2023 when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. The Israeli military response left Gaza devastated. According to the territory’s health ministry, over 67,000 people more than half of them women and children have been killed since the conflict erupted.

Entire neighborhoods have been flattened, famine has spread, and international pressure has mounted on both sides to end the fighting. Protests demanding the release of hostages have filled Israeli streets for months, while global calls for a ceasefire have intensified.

A Path Toward Peace?

Hamas has confirmed that the deal represents the “first phase” of ending the war and has requested guarantees from Trump and other mediators to ensure that the ceasefire holds. Among the prisoners listed for release is Marwan Barghouti, a high-profile Fatah figure long seen as a potential unifying leader for Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement, saying he would “bring the hostages home with God’s help.” His cabinet is expected to vote on the deal before implementation begins.

While cautious optimism prevails, residents of Gaza and Israel alike are aware of the fragility of peace in a region marked by decades of mistrust and violence. Still, after two years of unimaginable suffering, this deal however tentative offers a glimmer of hope that the guns may finally fall silent.

{Source:EWN}

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