U.S. President Donald Trump announced on October 8, 2025, that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a U.S.-proposed peace deal aimed at ending over two years of conflict in Gaza. The agreement includes the release of all 20 remaining Israeli hostages and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Trump hailed the development as an “unprecedented event,” stating, “ALL of the hostages will be released very soon.”
The announcement coincided with the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, and significant destruction has occurred in Gaza. The initial phase of the peace plan involves Hamas releasing all 20 surviving hostages within 72 hours in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including 250 serving life sentences. In return, Israel will begin a phased military withdrawal from most of Gaza and allow the entry of humanitarian aid.
Celebrations erupted in both Gaza and Israel following the announcement. In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, families of captives chanted “Nobel prize to Trump” while celebrating the news. Hamas confirmed that the agreement includes troop withdrawals, prisoner exchanges, and the entry of humanitarian aid. However, the Israeli military has warned civilians against returning to northern Gaza, describing it as “a dangerous combat zone”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement and pledged to gain governmental approval. He stated, “With God’s help, we will bring them all home.” The deal has been widely praised by world leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and leaders from the United Nations, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, who expressed hope for a lasting ceasefire and a path to a two-state solution.
The breakthrough raises hopes that a long-standing and devastating military campaign in Gaza could soon come to an end, bringing relief to families who have endured years of uncertainty and suffering.
