Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal, marking a major breakthrough in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace initiative aimed at ending the two-year war in Gaza.
The agreement, reached through indirect negotiations in Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, commits both sides to halt fighting, release Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
According to officials quoted by Reuters, the ceasefire will take effect after approval by Israel’s security cabinet later on Thursday. Within 24 hours of implementation, Israeli forces are expected to begin a partial withdrawal from Gaza, while Hamas will start releasing hostages within 72 hours.
The deal is also expected to unlock a major humanitarian effort, allowing convoys of food and medical aid into Gaza, where months of bombardment have left widespread devastation. Hundreds of thousands of displaced residents living in tents are set to receive relief supplies in the coming days.
News of the ceasefire sparked jubilation across Gaza and in Israeli cities.
“Thank God for the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed,” said Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. “All of Gaza is happy, all the Arab world is happy.”
In Israel, Einav Zaugauker, whose son, Matan, is among those expected to be released — told Reuters: “I can’t breathe… it’s unbelievable.”
Israeli officials confirmed that 20 surviving hostages would be freed under the agreement, with efforts ongoing to recover the remains of others believed to have died in captivity.
Announcing the deal on Truth Social, President Trump described it as a “great day for peace.”
“This is a GREAT day for Israel, for the Arab and Muslim world, and for the United States of America. Blessed are the peacemakers!” he wrote.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the accord “a diplomatic success and a national victory,” while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said it could “expand the circle of peace and normalisation” across the region.
But not all within Israel’s governing coalition have welcomed the truce. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Hamas “must be eliminated completely” once all hostages are returned.
Hamas’s attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Since then, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has left more than 67,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry.