Gaza Ceasefire Deal: Truce Agreed, Hostages and Prisoners to be Exchanged
Published Date: 9th Oct, 2025
A moment of profound relief has swept across the Middle East as Israel and Hamas announced an agreement on the initial phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan, raising hopes for an end to the two-year conflict.
The breakthrough, brokered following indirect talks in Egypt with mediation from the US, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, centres on a halt to hostilities and a major exchange of captives and prisoners.
The Details of Phase One
The first stage of the US-brokered plan is focused on three main pillars:
Hostage and Prisoner Exchange: Hamas has agreed to release all remaining Israeli hostages, estimated to be around 20 living individuals, along with the remains of other captives. In return, Israel is expected to free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences. The hostage release is anticipated to begin within 72 hours of the deal's formal implementation.
Initial Israeli Withdrawal: As part of the agreement, Israeli forces are set to make an initial, partial withdrawal to a pre-agreed line within the Gaza Strip. The withdrawal is expected to begin within 24 hours of the Israeli cabinet's approval of the deal.
Surge of Humanitarian Aid: The agreement will allow for a significant and immediate increase in the entry of desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, where a severe crisis, including widespread malnutrition among children, has taken hold.
Next Steps and Remaining Hurdles
While the deal has been signed by both parties, it still requires formal ratification by the Israeli government, with a security cabinet meeting scheduled to vote on the agreement.
US President Donald Trump, who announced the "first phase" of the peace plan, stated that the remaining hostages are expected to be released as early as Monday or Tuesday, and that he plans to travel to Egypt for a signing ceremony.
However, the path to a lasting peace remains complex. Key, more contentious aspects of the broader peace plan—such as the complete withdrawal of all Israeli troops, the disarmament of Hamas, and the future governance of Gaza—are part of later phases and have yet to be finalized. Hamas officials are also seeking firm US guarantees that Israel will not resume its military operations after the hostage release.
Despite the remaining uncertainties, the agreement has been met with celebrations in both Tel Aviv and Gaza, marking a pivotal and much-needed step toward de-escalation after two years of devastating conflict.
Date: 9th Oct, 2025
