A new ceasefire has officially taken effect between Israel and Hamas after the Israeli government approved the first phase of a peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The deal, finalized after high-stakes negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, was presented to Israel’s security cabinet on Thursday and approved that same evening.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the breakthrough, emphasizing that the agreement brings Israel closer to fulfilling one of its core war objectives — returning both the living and deceased hostages held by Hamas.
“We fought during these two years to achieve our war aims,” Netanyahu said. “And a central one of these war aims is to return the hostages — all of the hostages, the living and the dead — and we’re about to achieve that goal.”
Trump Officials Take the Lead in Peace Efforts
U.S. involvement in the ceasefire agreement has been significant. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, played a direct role in the negotiations and sat beside Netanyahu during the announcement.
Kushner praised the Israeli Defense Forces for their resilience and commitment during the war. “I know a lot of you, probably all of you, have family, friends who were in this effort,” he said. “You put your sacrifices on the line to fight for your country… I think that made a very, very big difference.”
President Trump is expected to visit Israel in the coming days, where he will address the Knesset — a rare honor for a sitting or former U.S. president. Speaker Amir Ohana formally invited Trump, calling him “The Peace President.”
Hostage and Prisoner Releases Begin
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas is expected to release the 20 surviving Israeli hostages early next week. The agreement also includes the return of the bodies of some of the 28 Israeli hostages confirmed dead, although it remains uncertain how many can be recovered. Reports suggest Hamas may not know the precise locations of all the bodies.
In exchange, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including individuals previously considered high-level threats. The move, while controversial, is part of the broader effort to secure both peace and the safe return of Israeli citizens.
Military Pullback in Gaza Underway
As part of the first phase, Israeli troops will pull back from central Gaza, signaling a de-escalation after two years of intense combat. The drawdown is contingent upon Hamas following through with the terms of the ceasefire, including hostage transfers and a halt in rocket fire.
The Trump administration has touted the deal as a major diplomatic victory — one that could lay the groundwork for a more permanent resolution in the region.
Whether the ceasefire holds and leads to a broader peace remains to be seen, but for now, the guns have gone silent, and a long-awaited hope for de-escalation is finally taking shape.
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