Israel and Hamas Just Agreed on a Piece of Trump’s Gaza Deal – Here’s Why It Matters

Emotional reactions to Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal at Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, Oct. 9, 2025. (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

Washington, D.C. — October 9, 2025 - Israel and Hamas announced Wednesday an agreement to implement the initial phase of President Donald Trump's proposed Gaza peace plan, including a temporary ceasefire and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, potentially paving the way for broader de-escalation after nearly two years of war.The deal, brokered through Qatari and Egyptian mediators with U.S. oversight, calls for Hamas to release all remaining Israeli hostages—48 in total, with 20 believed alive—in exchange for Israel's partial withdrawal from northern Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees.

Trump hailed the breakthrough in a White House address, stating the hostages could be freed as early as Monday or Tuesday, describing the process as "complicated" but a "huge step toward lasting peace." The first phase, effective Friday, includes a 24-hour pause in fighting followed by a 72-hour window for the initial hostage handover of 20 captives.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet is convening to approve the terms, with sources indicating broad support despite hardline reservations.

Under the plan's opening stage, Hamas will release the 20 living hostages in batches over 72 hours, verified by the International Red Cross, while Israel frees 150 Palestinian prisoners serving sentences for non-terror-related offenses.In return, Israeli forces will pull back from key northern Gaza corridors, allowing limited humanitarian aid convoys—totaling 500 trucks daily—into the enclave for the first time since October 2023.

Subsequent phases, to be negotiated within 30 days, outline a full ceasefire, demilitarization of Hamas, and reconstruction funded by $50 billion from Gulf states.

The war, ignited by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives per Gaza health officials, displacing 1.9 million and reducing 60% of buildings to rubble.Trump's 20-point blueprint, unveiled at the UN General Assembly last month, emphasizes phased releases tied to Israeli concessions, diverging from prior Biden-era proposals by conditioning aid on Hamas disarmament.

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, speaking from Doha, welcomed the "realistic framework" but stressed guarantees against renewed incursions.Netanyahu, addressing the Knesset, affirmed Israel's commitment to "total victory" post-release but noted the deal's "temporary nature." Progressive U.S. Democrats like Rep. Rashida Tlaib praised the pause as "long overdue," while pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC cautioned against "rewarding terrorism."

Past truces, including November 2023's seven-day exchange, faltered over compliance disputes. With 62% of Americans favoring a ceasefire per recent Gallup polls, the agreement offers fragile hope amid global protests and a U.S. government shutdown straining diplomatic resources.

As mediators prepare for Friday's implementation, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff shuttles between Jerusalem and Doha. For Gaza's weary residents, the sound of paused guns could herald relief—or merely a prelude to more pain.