A pivotal moment has arrived in the protracted conflict, with Israel and Hamas announcing an agreement for a comprehensive exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. This significant breakthrough in negotiations aims to end the devastating war in Gaza, which has now passed its two-year mark.
The deal offers the prospect of at least a ceasefire, if not a lasting peace, to a conflict that has brought immense suffering to Gaza’s two million residents. It has also profoundly impacted Israelis, leading to international isolation for their country and contributing to a worrying global rise in antisemitic acts worldwide.
Former President Trump, who played a key role in brokering the agreement, announced on social media that both sides had accepted the initial phase of his peace plan. This phase mandates a pullback of Israeli troops to a designated line within Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to convene his cabinet to formally approve the agreement, with a ceasefire anticipated to take effect thereafter. The Israeli military has expressed its support, stating readiness to facilitate the return of hostages and adjust its deployment.
Mr. Trump also hinted at a visit to the region this weekend, where Gaza negotiations were already in progress in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office confirmed discussions with Mr. Trump, including congratulations and an invitation for the former president to address Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, with his arrival expected on Sunday.
Crucially, some of the most complex issues remain unresolved and are deferred to later negotiation phases. These include determining the post-war governance of Gaza and the extent and method of Hamas disarming.
Within Gaza, which has seen international experts declare a famine in certain areas due to severe food shortages, aid organizations are hopeful that the agreement will enable a rapid increase in desperately needed supplies. Hamas confirmed that the agreement signals an end to the war and Israel’s withdrawal, and, alongside Qatar (a key mediator), emphasized that it would allow aid into the territory.
Hamas has urged Mr. Trump and other guarantors to ensure Israel fully adheres to the agreement’s terms without evasion or delay. However, the Israeli military, hours after Trump’s announcement, issued a statement reminding Gazan residents that its troops still occupied the territory and that the conflict was ongoing.
The war began in October 2023 with a Hamas-led attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the capture of about 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military response has, according to the Gaza health ministry, killed over 67,000 Palestinians, including both civilians and combatants, and left much of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins.
After months of stalled ceasefire talks, Hamas recently indicated its willingness to release all Israeli hostages in Gaza under the terms of Mr. Trump’s September 29th peace plan. Approximately 20 living hostages and the remains of 28 others are believed to still be held captive. Officials anticipate the release of living Israeli hostages as early as this weekend, likely Sunday.
What else to know:
- Uncertain details: Many specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed, including the precise nature of the hostage-for-prisoner exchange and the exact withdrawal lines for Israeli forces. It’s also unclear if this agreement will lead to a permanent end to the war, especially given Hamas’s public refusal to disarm, a key demand from Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Hope in Gaza: Palestinians in Gaza greeted the news with cautious optimism that their two-year ordeal might finally conclude. Montaser Bahja, an English teacher displaced in Khan Younis, shared his mixed emotions: “joy for the end of the war and the killing, and sorrow for everything we’ve lost.” Many were reportedly awake, closely following news for word on when a truce would begin.
- Nobel endorsement: Israeli President Isaac Herzog publicly stated his belief that Mr. Trump merited the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. The Nobel Peace Prize announcement is scheduled for Friday, an award Mr. Trump has openly coveted.
- Peace plan challenges: Mr. Trump’s 20-point peace plan includes elements that Hamas has historically opposed, which could still pose obstacles to achieving a complete end to the war.
- Pressure on Israel: A September 9th Israeli strike on Hamas representatives in Qatar caused significant diplomatic friction. This incident, however, also prompted Mr. Trump and his advisors to exert considerable pressure on Mr. Netanyahu to endorse a framework for ending the conflict.