After two bloody years since the October 7, 2023 attack, on October 9, Hamas confirmed its acceptance of signing the Trump Peace Plan promoted by US President Donald Trump, paving the way for an end to the conflict in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages.
The first phase of the agreement was signed at Sharm el-Sheikh resort (Egypt), with the participation of intermediaries including Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye.
President Trump announced on Truth Social: I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed the first phase of the Peace Plan. This means that all hostages will be released in a very short time, and Israel will withdraw to the agreed border - the first step towards a solid, lasting and forever peace. All parties will be treated fairly! Today is a big day for the Arab and Islamic world, Israel, neighboring countries, as well as for the US.
The leaked photos from the negotiation room show a rare atmosphere of reconciliation when representatives of Hamas, Israel and the intermediary countries shake hands and laugh brightly. According to Israeli media, the official signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 10 in Egypt.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised this as a "big day for Israel" and expressed his gratitude to President Trump "for contributing to the sacred mission of returning the hostages". He affirmed that after the agreement was approved by the cabinet, "all Israelis will return home, live in peace and safety".
In an official statement, Hamas said the deal marked the end of the brutal war against the Palestinian people, adding that Israel would withdraw all its forces from Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid and Prisoner exchanges. Hamas also grants President Donald Trump for his efforts to completely end the war and ensure Israels withdrawal.
The deal includes a comprehensive ceasefire, the release of all 48 remaining Israeli hostages and more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, and the opening of humanitarian aid flows into Gaza, according to Qatari Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Majed al-Ansari.
Israeli officials said the surplus hostages would be released within 72 hours. The deaths will be paid later, as some bodies are still buried in the rubble. The children's families issued a statement thanking President Trump and the mediation team for "creating a historic turning point, bringing hope and ending a 2-year nightmare".
The US 20-point plan, approved by Prime Minister Netanyahu last week, is expected to lead to a complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, Hamas's demarcation, and the establishment of a temporary Palestinian "technical command" to run the area. An international Peace Council co-chaired by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will oversee the Gaza reconstruction process.
The deal is seen as a historic turning point, which could end the cycle of violence and open up opportunities to rebuild the Gaza Strip - which has endured one of the most fierce wars in the Middle East in the 21st century.
