After months of tense negotiations and failed attempts, United States President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his long-awaited peace plan for Gaza.
This marks what he described as a historic breakthrough after years of violent conflict.
In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump hailed the agreement as a “GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America,”
He extended gratitude to Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their mediation efforts.
Ceasefire Takes Effect Amid Confusion
“BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” he wrote.
While the announcement has been celebrated as a diplomatic milestone, it leaves several key details unresolved, especially concerning post-war governance, disarmament, and security guarantees in Gaza.
Hostage and Prisoner Releases
According to senior Israeli officials, a ceasefire came into effect early Friday morning after the Israeli government approved the framework for the release of all hostages held in Gaza.
However, reports indicate ongoing Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire in parts of Khan Younis and Gaza City.
This raises questions about whether the ceasefire has been fully implemented.
The agreement outlines that Israeli forces will begin a partial withdrawal from Gaza within 24 hours.
A 24-hour objection window has also been opened for legal petitions to the Israeli High Court.
Once this period lapses, Hamas will have 72 hours to release the hostages.
Trump noted that the hostages are expected to be released by Monday or Tuesday.
Also, he describes the development as a major step towards restoring regional stability.
Under the terms of the deal, all living hostages—believed to number around 20 individuals—are expected to be released together, without ceremony, while the remains of deceased hostages will also be returned.
In exchange, Hamas announced that 1,950 Palestinian prisoners would be released from Israeli custody, including 250 serving life sentences.
However, Israeli authorities said that negotiations on the final list of prisoners were still ongoing and that individuals convicted of murder would not be released to the West Bank.
Instead, discussions are underway to determine whether such individuals would be transferred to a third country.
A government spokesperson also clarified that Marwan Barghouti, the influential Palestinian political leader jailed since 2002, will not be released as part of the agreement.
Unresolved Issues
Despite the progress, Trump’s broader 20-point peace framework still faces significant challenges.
The plan calls for Hamas to lay down its weapons and commit to peaceful coexistence with Israel.
Trump’s team promised amnesty for members who comply, but Hamas has repeatedly rejected full disarmament, seeing it as a threat to its survival.
The proposal also recommends the creation of a temporary technocratic Palestinian government
This is to manage Gaza under the supervision of a newly formed international “Board of Peace.”
During a Fox News interview, Trump confirmed that his administration is “forming a council of peace” to ensure lasting stability in the region.
However, it remains unclear who will serve on the council or how it will exercise authority.
The plan further outlines the formation of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to train vetted Palestinian police units
Once operational, Israel’s military would withdraw from Gaza, though the Israeli government has not formally accepted this arrangement.
While Trump’s announcement signals hope for a new chapter in the Middle East, the path to lasting peace remains fragile.
Hamas’ chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, claimed the group had received guarantees from the US and international mediators confirming that “the war has ended permanently.”
However, analysts caution that implementation and mutual trust will determine whether this agreement holds.
“There’s a framework on paper,” one Israeli source told CNN, “but both sides still have to prove they can uphold it.”
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For now, the ceasefire offers a glimmer of relief to millions of civilians caught in the crossfire.
Also, the world watches to see if this moment will truly mark the beginning of lasting peace in Gaza.
