Trump Administration Announces Signing of Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas

Washington, October 13, 2025: The United States government confirms the formal signing of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, today, concluding the two year conflict that commenced on October 7, 2023. The accord, implementing the first phase of the 20 point plan proposed by the Trump administration in September 2025, involves the exchange of all remaining Israeli hostages for nearly 2000 Palestinian prisoners, alongside an immediate halt to hostilities and the initiation of humanitarian aid flows into Gaza. This development follows weeks of mediated negotiations involving Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, and represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in the region since the initial Abraham Accords in 2020.

The conflict originated with Hamas’s incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1200 individuals, mostly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military operation in Gaza, encompassing airstrikes, artillery bombardments, and ground incursions, has led to over 67,869 Palestinian fatalities, according to Gaza health authorities, (doubtful numbers at best), and the displacement of the territory’s 2.2 million residents, creating a humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread homelessness, food insecurity, (from Hamas themself), and infrastructure collapse. Multiple ceasefire attempts, including a brief pause in November 2023 and another in January 2025, collapsed amid mutual accusations of violations, but the current agreement addresses core demands through structured phases designed to ensure compliance, long term security, and regional stability.

The 20 point plan, released by the White House on September 29, 2025, outlines a comprehensive framework for de escalation, demilitarization, reconstruction, and governance reform, developed with contributions from Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. The proposal demands an immediate end to the war upon acceptance, stipulating that hostilities cease within 24 hours of mutual agreement. Key provisions include the release of all 48 remaining hostages held by Hamas, 20 of whom are confirmed alive, within 72 hours, in exchange for Israel freeing 250 Palestinians serving life sentences for security offenses, 1700 administrative detainees held without charge since October 2023, and the remains of 15 deceased Palestinians for each Israeli hostage body returned. The plan mandates the suspension of all Israeli military operations, including airstrikes, drone surveillance, and ground incursions, during the exchange process, with battle lines frozen until full implementation is verified by international observers.

Gaza’s governance transitions to a technocratic Palestinian administration, explicitly excluding Hamas in any capacity, direct or indirect, with a transitional authority overseen by an international stabilization force comprising approximately 200 troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, under US coordination. This force will monitor compliance, secure humanitarian corridors, and facilitate the staged withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from Gaza in three distinct phases, beginning with a pullback to lines covering 53 percent of the territory within one week. The second phase, spanning two weeks, repositions forces to a reduced perimeter, while the final stage maintains a limited Israeli security presence along the border until threats are neutralized, with full withdrawal linked to verifiable demilitarization milestones, confirmed by satellite imagery and on ground inspections.

Hamas commits to complete disarmament, with members granted amnesty if they pledge peaceful coexistence and decommission weapons, including rockets, mortars, and small arms, under international supervision. Those unwilling to comply receive safe passage to third countries, such as Turkey or Qatar, with guarantees against extradition. The plan prohibits forced displacement, affirming that no Gaza resident will be compelled to leave, and those who departed since October 2023 may return freely, with registration processes established at border crossings to ensure orderly repatriation. Economic revitalization positions Gaza as a development hub, with an influx of aid exceeding prior agreements, including infrastructure rehabilitation for water treatment plants, electrical grids, sewage systems, hospitals, and bakeries, alongside heavy equipment for rubble removal and road clearance. Aid distribution proceeds unimpeded via United Nations agencies, the Red Crescent, and neutral international bodies, with the Rafah crossing operating under protocols established in 2014, monitored by Egyptian and Palestinian Authority personnel.

Reconstruction emphasizes demilitarization as a prerequisite, with the United States and regional partners guaranteeing security and funding growth initiatives, including vocational training programs and industrial zones to reduce unemployment, currently exceeding 50 percent. The proposal reforms the Palestinian Authority to integrate Gaza governance, with France committing technical expertise and financial support for institutional restructuring. Israel pledges to refrain from attacks on mediators, such as Qatar, and to facilitate diplomatic channels for future negotiations. In the event of rejection or delay, the plan allows aid and stabilization efforts to advance in IDF controlled areas, transitioning to the international force upon compliance.

Implementation commenced today with Hamas transferring the 20 surviving hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross at designated sites in southern Gaza, including Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. The individuals, identified as Matan Angrest, a 22 year old soldier from Nahal Oz, Keith Siegel, a dual US Israeli citizen, Alon Ohel, a 24 year old pianist abducted from the Nova music festival, Omri Miran, a 48 year old resident of kibbutz Nahal Oz, Ziv and Gali Berman, brothers, Yosef Chaim Ohana, Maxim Herkin, Segev Kalfon, Rom Braslavski, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Bar Kupershtein, and Guy Gilboa Dalal, crossed into Israel via the Kerem Shalom crossing. Medical teams at the Reim military base conducted initial assessments, checking vital signs and psychological conditions, before airlifting them to facilities, including Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv and Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, for comprehensive care, including nutritional rehabilitation and trauma counseling. Families awaited reunions, with President Isaac Herzog personally contacting Ohel, stating, The piano at the President’s Residence is waiting for you, and Miran’s relatives donning custom shirts prepared by his children, Roni and Alma, in a display of familial solidarity.

The remains of 26 deceased hostages and two with undetermined status arrived in coffins, with four transferred to Israel, reducing the outstanding count to 24. Hamas cited logistical challenges in accessing some sites under prior IDF control, particularly in northern Gaza’s Jabalia region, but affirmed commitment to the 72 hour timeline. A joint committee, comprising Israeli, Egyptian, and Red Cross representatives, was formed to recover additional bodies from rubble strewn areas, utilizing geospatial data and survivor testimonies. In parallel, Israel released the first contingent of 250 long term prisoners from Ofer Prison near Ramallah and Ketziot in the Negev, followed by 1700 administrative detainees transported to Ramallah in the West Bank and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza. Crowds assembled at release points, with Palestinian security personnel providing escorts, though Israeli forces distributed warnings, via leaflets and loudspeakers, against celebratory gatherings perceived as endorsing terrorism, and deployed non lethal crowd control measures, including tear gas, in select areas.

The signing ceremony at a conference center in Sharm El Sheikh drew over 20 international figures, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and envoys from Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend, citing observance of the Sukkot holiday and prior statements opposing shared platforms with Abbas, who has been a vocal critic of Israel’s settlement policies. US representatives, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, joined el Sisi in affixing signatures to the document, with mediators from Egypt and Qatar verifying Hamas’s proxy endorsement through secure communication channels.

Phase two activates concurrently, focusing on rubble clearance and aid escalation, with UNRWA reporting approval for 500 trucks daily carrying essentials, such as medical supplies, potable water, and high energy biscuits. The international stabilization force deploys initial units to monitor northern Gaza corridors, ensuring safe passage for returnees along routes like Salah al Din Road. Governance discussions convene under a proposed Board of Peace, involving technocratic experts from Palestinian academic and civil society sectors, with France pledging support for Palestinian Authority reforms, including anti corruption measures and electoral framework development, to enable unified administration by mid 2026.

Global reactions underscore the agreement’s potential while noting implementation risks. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for swift adherence to prevent reversals, emphasizing the need for transparent monitoring mechanisms. Egyptian officials reiterated demands for justice and equality as foundational to sustainability, with el Sisi advocating for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders. Palestinian diplomat Adel Atiya stressed alignment with two state consensus, stating, We cannot continue negotiating forever, now it is time to end this cycle of violence by the implementation of the two state solution, that is the only guarantee for the security of the Israelis and of the Palestinians. Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim acknowledged the framework but flagged concerns over Blair’s involvement, citing his role in the 2003 Iraq invasion as a point of contention among Gaza’s population. Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana highlighted the hostage returns as fulfilling national pledges, noting the emotional weight of reunions broadcast live across Israel.

Analyst Zeidan Alkinani questioned long term viability, stating, How sustainable is the long term future after this peace treaty, are we ending all the issues that ended up accumulating to leading to the events of October 7 and everything that happened after, I think that’s the question we need to look at, particularly the legitimacy of a political committee governing a future Gaza, who would be nominating these people. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher noted Israel’s approval of additional emergency supplies, with UNRWA urging unhindered operations to reach 1.9 million displaced persons. Gaza faces acute challenges, with 80 percent of structures damaged or destroyed and famine risks persisting in northern districts, where access to clean water remains limited to 20 percent of pre war levels. The plan’s demilitarization clause and security guarantees aim to mitigate resurgence threats, while economic incentives, including microfinance programs and agricultural cooperatives, target unemployment and food insecurity.

Israeli withdrawal timelines remain contingent on verification mechanisms, with US satellites and drone surveillance ensuring compliance with disarmament protocols. The Trump administration positions the accord as a template for broader regional normalization, extending invitations to Iran for sanction relief talks, contingent on cessation of proxy support to groups like Hezbollah. Phase two negotiations, expected to conclude by November 30, 2025, will address reconstruction funding, estimated at 20 billion USD over five years, with contributions pledged by the Gulf Cooperation Council and European Union. The agreement’s success hinges on sustained international oversight, robust enforcement of terms, and addressing Palestinian aspirations for self determination, which remain unresolved amid Israel’s internal political divisions over a two state framework.

The following is the complete 20-point plan proposed by the Trump administration on September 29, 2025, as released by the White House. This framework aims to end the Israel-Hamas conflict through phased implementation, focusing on immediate ceasefire, hostage and prisoner exchanges, demilitarization, governance transition, and long-term reconstruction. The plan has been accepted in its first phase by both parties, with negotiations ongoing for subsequent stages.

1. Immediate Ceasefire: Upon mutual agreement, all hostilities shall cease within 24 hours, including Israeli airstrikes, ground operations, and Hamas rocket fire. Battle lines shall freeze, with no advances permitted.
2. Hostage Release: Hamas shall release all 48 remaining Israeli and foreign hostages (20 confirmed alive) within 72 hours, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross. This includes living captives and the remains of deceased individuals.
3. Prisoner Exchange: In reciprocity, Israel shall release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences for security offenses, 1,700 administrative detainees held without charge since October 7, 2023, and the remains of 15 deceased Palestinians for each Israeli hostage body returned.
4. Suspension of Military Operations: Israel shall halt all military activities during exchanges, including drone surveillance and artillery use, verified by international observers from Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.
5. Demilitarization of Gaza: Gaza shall be fully demilitarized, with all military, terror, and offensive infrastructure (tunnels, rocket sites, weapon caches) destroyed or removed under supervision.
6. Israeli Withdrawal Phases: Israeli Defense Forces shall withdraw in three stages: initial pullback to lines covering 53% of Gaza within one week; second phase to a reduced perimeter over two weeks; full withdrawal linked to demilitarization milestones, confirmed by satellite and on-ground inspections.
7. Hamas Disarmament: Hamas shall completely disarm, decommissioning rockets, mortars, and small arms. Members committing to peaceful coexistence receive amnesty; non-compliant individuals gain safe passage to third countries like Turkey or Qatar, without extradition risks.
8. No Forced Displacement: No Gaza residents shall be compelled to leave. Those displaced since October 2023 may return freely, with registration at border crossings to facilitate orderly repatriation.
9. Transitional Governance: Gaza shall be governed by a temporary technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee of qualified experts, responsible for public services and municipalities, excluding Hamas in any direct or indirect capacity.
10. Board of Peace Oversight: The transitional committee shall operate under the “Board of Peace,” an international body chaired by President Donald J. Trump, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and other partners, to supervise implementation and funding.
11. International Stabilization Force: A multinational force of approximately 200 troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, coordinated by the United States, shall deploy to monitor compliance, secure humanitarian corridors, and support withdrawal.
12. Humanitarian Aid Surge: Aid shall flow unimpeded, starting with 400-600 trucks daily via Rafah crossing, carrying food, water, medical supplies, and equipment for rubble clearance, distributed by UN agencies and the Red Crescent.
13. Infrastructure Rehabilitation: Priority reconstruction of water treatment plants, electrical grids, sewage systems, hospitals, bakeries, and roads, with heavy machinery provided to clear debris and restore basic services.
14. Economic Development Plan: A “Trump Economic Development Plan” shall be created by a panel of experts to transform Gaza into a demilitarized investment hub, including vocational training, industrial zones, and microfinance to address unemployment exceeding 50%.
15. Palestinian Authority Reforms: The Palestinian Authority shall undergo reforms for Gaza integration, with France providing technical support for anti-corruption measures, electoral frameworks, and unified administration by mid-2026.
16. Security Guarantees: Israel commits to refraining from attacks on mediators like Qatar and facilitating diplomatic channels. The United States guarantees regional security against resurgence threats.
17. Political Horizon Dialogue: The United States shall initiate talks between Israel and Palestinians for a political framework ensuring peaceful coexistence, without specifying statehood but emphasizing milestones for stability.
18. No Annexation or Occupation: Israel shall not occupy or annex Gaza post-withdrawal, maintaining only temporary border security until threats are neutralized.
19. Contingency for Non-Compliance: In case of rejection or delays, aid and stabilization shall proceed in IDF-controlled areas, transitioning to the international force upon adherence.
20. Path to Lasting Peace: The plan establishes a foundation for broader Middle East normalization, including invitations to Iran for sanction relief talks, contingent on ending proxy support to groups like Hezbollah, with full implementation targeted for completion by late 2026.

This plan builds on prior U.S. initiatives like the Abraham Accords and requires ongoing mediation to address sticking points such as withdrawal timelines and governance legitimacy.