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Hamas and Israel have reached a historic agreement to end the two-year-long Gaza war, following intensive mediation led by the United States, Turkey, and Arab nations. Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya confirmed on Thursday that the group had received assurances from Washington and regional mediators that the conflict has permanently ended.
The accord, signed Thursday, marks the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace initiative. It outlines a complete cessation of hostilities, a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a large-scale exchange of captives and prisoners. The deal aims to restore stability to a region shaken by years of violence.
Under the terms, Hamas will release all 48 hostages captured during its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The first group of 20 living hostages will be freed within 72 hours after the ceasefire takes effect. In return, Israel will release thousands of Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving long-term sentences and 1,700 others detained since the conflict began.
President Trump hailed the agreement at the White House, expressing optimism that it would pave the way for “lasting peace” across the Middle East. He described the ceasefire as a breakthrough in U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to bring an end to one of the region’s deadliest conflicts in recent years.
Al-Hayya, who survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar last month, emphasized that the deal guarantees the reopening of a key border crossing with Egypt and the release of all Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons.
The ceasefire represents a major shift in the geopolitical landscape, potentially opening the door to broader regional normalization and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
