Cairo – A major breakthrough has been reached in the war between Hamas and Israel, with both sides agreeing to a ceasefire deal that includes the release of all remaining hostages, a partial Israeli troop withdrawal, and a large-scale prisoner exchange. The agreement, facilitated through high-level talks in Egypt and announced by US President Donald Trump, marks a potential turning point in a devastating conflict that has lasted more than two years.
The Hamas-led October 2023 attack on Israel triggered a prolonged war that has killed tens of thousands and unleashed one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent Middle Eastern history. On Thursday, however, diplomatic sources confirmed that both parties would sign the ceasefire agreement, initiating a phased de-escalation starting within days.
Under the terms of the deal, Hamas will release all remaining hostages—both living and deceased—while Israel will pull its troops back to a mutually agreed line inside Gaza. In exchange, Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences. The first phase of the exchange will reportedly see 20 hostages swapped for 2,000 prisoners within 72 hours of the deal’s implementation.
Speaking after the negotiations in Cairo, President Trump confirmed the agreement, calling it a “crucial step toward lasting peace.” He also announced that the United States would assist in rebuilding Gaza and ensuring a sustainable peace in the region.
Hamas Deal Includes Hostage Release and Israeli Withdrawal
“I believe the hostages will all be coming home by Monday,” Trump said. “This deal changes everything. It opens the door to peace and stability after years of bloodshed.”
Trump added that he might visit the region soon, stating he was “most likely” to travel to Egypt and possibly war-torn Gaza by the end of the week.
The ceasefire will also allow for an immediate surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza. For more than two years, the Hamas-run territory has faced food shortages, collapsed infrastructure, and widespread displacement. According to the United Nations, over 67,000 people have been killed in the conflict, with more than half reported to be women and children.
Displaced Gazan Samer Joudeh, speaking to AFP, expressed a rare moment of hope:
“Honestly, when I heard the news, I couldn’t hold back. Tears of joy flowed. Two years of bombing, terror, and loss… now, we finally feel like we’re getting a moment of respite.”
Qatar, one of the key mediators, described the deal as “the first phase of a comprehensive Gaza ceasefire,” intended to end hostilities, secure the release of hostages, and facilitate urgent humanitarian assistance.
According to a source inside Hamas, the group will release the remaining 47 hostages, including 25 individuals the Israeli military believes are dead. The hostages were captured during the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led assault, which left 1,219 people dead in Israel, mostly civilians, and saw 251 people taken into Gaza.
In return, 250 Palestinians sentenced to life in Israeli prisons will be freed alongside 1,700 others arrested since the war began. Notably, high-profile prisoners such as Marwan Barghouti—a prominent Fatah leader—are among those Hamas has demanded be included.
Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s top negotiator, emphasized that the group also seeks international guarantees that the war will not resume.
“We want solid commitments from President Trump and the sponsoring countries that this war ends once and for all,” al-Hayya said.
The breakthrough comes amid mounting international pressure on Israel and Hamas to end the war. Much of Gaza lies in ruins, with entire neighborhoods flattened, a UN-declared famine unfolding, and public outrage growing both globally and within Israel itself.
Protests by Israeli families of the hostages have intensified in recent weeks, demanding faster action from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. In response to the deal, Netanyahu stated, “With God’s help, we will bring the hostages home.”
His cabinet is expected to meet Thursday to formally approve the agreement.
The deal is backed not only by Hamas but also by Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, both of which hold some hostages. The inclusion of multiple factions increases the chances of a successful implementation and long-term ceasefire.
However, while this agreement may end active hostilities, the long-term political future of Gaza, and of Hamas’s role in it, remains uncertain.
President Trump’s 20-point peace plan includes calls for Hamas’s disarmament, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a roadmap toward a permanent peace framework—goals that may face resistance from both sides in the months ahead.
Still, optimism prevails—for now.
“This is the first real sign of hope in a long time,” said one Egyptian diplomat involved in the talks. “Whether it lasts depends on what comes next.”
Source- EWN
