Israel Confirms Gaza Ceasefire — Will Hostages Be Freed Soon?

Thousands of Palestinians displaced to southern Gaza by the war walk north along a coastal road toward their homes following the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, in the central Gaza Strip, Oct. 10, 2025. (Anadolu/Getty Images)

Jerusalem - October 10, 2025 – Israel declared a ceasefire with Hamas officially in effect early Friday, marking the end of nearly two years of relentless conflict in Gaza and kicking off a tense 72-hour countdown for the release of the remaining 48 Israeli and foreign hostages held by the militant group.Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops began a phased withdrawal from northern and central Gaza positions, allowing thousands of displaced Palestinians to tentatively return to their ruined homes amid scenes of cautious optimism and lingering devastation.

The agreement, brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump's direct mediation and ratified by Israel's security cabinet late Thursday, suspends hostilities across the enclave within 24 hours of activation.Under its terms, Hamas must hand over all 48 captives—20 believed to be alive, including elderly civilians and soldiers—starting potentially as early as Monday, according to Egyptian and Hamas officials involved in the talks. In exchange, Israel will release 250 Palestinian security prisoners serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis, plus 1,722 Gazans detained since the war's onset who were not directly involved in hostilities, including 22 minors.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the deal as a "historic breakthrough" in a televised address, emphasizing the hostage recovery while vowing that "Hamas will never again threaten Israel." The IDF confirmed completion of its initial pullback from key areas like Gaza City outskirts, with full disengagement from populated zones expected within days to facilitate aid flows and reconstruction.Palestinian families, many displaced multiple times since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war, were seen trekking back with scant belongings, navigating rubble-strewn streets under a fragile truce.

Trump, who touted the framework as fulfilling his "end the war in 24 hours" campaign pledge, credited his personal interventions for the accord. "This is peace through strength—hostages home, terrorists out," he posted on Truth Social, adding that the deal paves the way for broader Middle East normalization.The U.S.-led negotiations, involving Qatar and Egypt as guarantors, overcame months of deadlocks exacerbated by Israeli ground offensives and Hamas rocket fire that have claimed over 42,000 Palestinian lives and 1,200 Israelis, per health ministry and IDF tallies.

Hamas spokesman Basem Naim described the ceasefire as a "victory for the resistance," urging international monitoring to ensure Israeli compliance on withdrawals and aid corridors. The group published a list of demanded prisoners earlier this week, including high-profile figures like Marwan Barghouti, though Israel's finalized roster—now public—focuses on those convicted of deadly attacks.

As the enclave quiets for the first time in 700 days, humanitarian agencies warn of a "ticking time bomb" in sanitation and medical needs, with the UN estimating $20 billion in rebuilding costs.While families reunite in phased exchanges, the deal's permanence hinges on Phase Two talks for a full Israeli exit and governance handover—outcomes that could redefine the region's volatile fault lines. For now, in Gaza's shadowed ruins, a sliver of hope pierces the dawn.