Historic Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas Marks New Era in Gaza Conflict

Thursday, 09 October 2025 07:53 AM EDT
The agreement on the first stage of President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect Thursday at 0900 GMT, Egyptian state-affiliated TV al-Qahera news reported. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated Israel has an interest in expanding the circle of peace and normalization in the Middle Eastern region, following the U.S.-brokered deal entering Phase 1. Celebrations have reportedly broken out in Gaza. President Donald Trump announced Israel and Hamas had reached a deal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release under the first phase of his plan for ending the 2-year-old war in the Palestinian enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the agreement, stating, “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America…”

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed mixed emotions, warning, “Great fear of the consequences of emptying prisons and releasing the next generation of terror leadership… We cannot join the short-sighted celebrations and vote in favor of the deal.”

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged stakeholders to seize the opportunity for a political path toward ending the occupation and achieving a two-state solution. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “a moment of profound relief” and emphasized the need for a political solution based on the two-state framework.

Other global leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, welcomed the agreement as a critical first step toward peace. The World Health Organization pledged to support Gaza’s health system amid the ceasefire.