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This is a watershed moment for the Middle East as Gaza Peace Deal is finally done. All 20 surviving Israeli hostages have been freed by Hamas, while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees under the historic Gaza Peace Deal brokered by the US President Donald Trump.
The move comes as part of a historic Gaza Peace Summit hosted in Egypt, marking what Trump called “the end of a 3,000-year conflict.”
Gaza Peace Deal freed all living hostages
Israeli authorities have said that, the 20 surviving hostages — held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack — were freed and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) early Monday under the Gaza Peace Deal. They were then taken to Israeli forces at the Reim military base, where families waited with tears, relief, and disbelief.
“This is not just the end of captivity — it’s the beginning of hope,” one Israeli official said as helicopters transported the freed hostages to hospitals in central Israel for medical checks and reunions.
Gaza Peace Deal freed Palestinian prisoners
Under the deal , Israel also released around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including women and minors detained during the two-year-long conflict.
This exchange — one of the largest in the region’s history — is considered as a key confidence-building step in Trump’s wider plan to restore peace and stability across Gaza and neighboring territories.
Trump’s “Very Special” Visit to Israel and Egypt
Before the Egypt summit, Donald Trump visited Israel, where he met with families of those kidnapped in 2023 and addressed the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. His words — “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” — drew applause and cautious optimism.
Trump’s visit coincided with Simchat Torah, a Jewish festival that also marks the second anniversary of the Hamas attack. The timing added a deeply symbolic layer to his trip, highlighting hope and reconciliation after years of suffering.
After his emotional address in Jerusalem, Trump flew to Cairo, where he and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi co-hosted the Gaza Peace Summit. The meeting brought together more than 20 global leaders, including representatives from the UN, EU, and Arab League.
The New Gaza Peace Plan
At the summit, Trump officially signed what he called the “Gaza Peace Plan”, a detailed roadmap aimed at establishing a new governing body in Gaza. The plan proposes joint coordination through a US-led multinational force to oversee Israel’s gradual military withdrawal and help rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure.
“This took 3,000 years to reach,” Trump said emotionally while signing the agreement. “And it’s happening before your very eyes.”
Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations
Reports reveal that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and former White House adviser Jared Kushner played critical roles in breaking a deadlock between mediators and Hamas.
When talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey stalled, Trump authorized direct contact with Hamas leadership, including Khalil al-Hayya — a senior leader who survived an assassination attempt weeks ago.
According to sources, the final breakthrough came after a Qatari official arranged a face-to-face meeting between Witkoff, Kushner, and Hamas representatives — paving the way for Monday’s dramatic releases.
A Fragile Hope for the Future
Although the Gaza Peace Deal has brought some relief, experts warn about the challenges ahead — especially with Hamas refusing to fully disarm and Israel maintaining partial control over Gaza’s borders.
Still, optimism runs high after the historic Gaza Peace Deal. The next 24 hours are expected to be very crucial as both nations test the strength of this historic truce — one that could reshape Middle East diplomacy for years to come.
Disclaimer:
Information in this article is based on available news sources which are known to be verified and accurate at the time of publication. The situation in Gaza and Israel is evolving, and details may change. Readers should refer to official updates for the latest information.
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Pronita Devi, an M.A. in Political Science, has spent over a decade in electronic and digital media. She regularly contributes insightful articles on geopolitics and current affairs, bringing clarity and depth to complex global issues.