Ceasefire in Gaza Follows Israeli Approval of Peace Plan’s First Phase

After more than two years of brutal conflict, Israel and Hamas have officially entered into a ceasefire following the approval of the first phase of President Donald Trump’s peace plan marking a massive diplomatic win and a turning point in the Gaza war.

On Thursday, the Israeli Security Cabinet voted to adopt the agreement, reached after several intense days of negotiation in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with U.S., Arab, and Turkish mediation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision late Thursday, saying:

“We fought during these two years to achieve our war aims, 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.”

The announcement came with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s senior adviser Jared Kushner by Netanyahu’s side, both of whom played key roles in brokering the agreement.

“This all would not have been possible without the bravery of the IDF,” Kushner said, praising the Israeli Defense Forces for the sacrifices made to bring Hamas to the negotiating table. “You fought for your country and made a difference. That made a very, very big difference.”

The terms of the ceasefire include:

• The release of 20 living Israeli hostages by Hamas, expected early next week

• Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including some high-profile detainees

• A pullback of IDF troops from central Gaza, beginning immediately

• A commitment to continued negotiations under the U.S.-led peace framework

While the status of the 28 deceased hostages remains uncertain, reports suggest that Hamas may be unable to locate all of their remains due to rubble and destruction within Gaza. Israeli officials have stated that returning all hostages both living and dead remains non-negotiable.

The ceasefire is the result of the U.S.-backed proposal first unveiled by President Trump last month, which laid the foundation for a phased peace process in the region. Unlike previous failed attempts under weak international leadership, this plan gained swift traction thanks to Trump’s direct engagement and unrelenting pressure on all parties involved.

Trump is expected to visit Israel in the coming days and may become the first U.S. president in nearly two decades to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Speaker Amir Ohana formally invited Trump, calling him “The Peace President.”

“President Trump’s leadership and strength brought us to this day,” one Israeli official said. “Where others talked about peace, he delivered it.”

What makes this agreement different is not just the terms it’s the approach. Trump didn’t offer vague hopes or send billions in cash to Iran. He empowered Israel, isolated Hamas, and forced negotiations through strength, not appeasement.

The ceasefire also reflects growing unity across the region. Several Arab and Muslim nations, including Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Turkey, have backed the deal and praised Trump’s leadership in securing it.

This ceasefire is not just a pause in fighting it’s a strategic milestone that puts America, Israel, and a coalition of regional players on the path toward lasting peace and security.

Now, the world watches as Trump prepares to address the Israeli people and continue what could become the most significant peace effort in the modern Middle East.

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