KEY POINTS
- Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect Thursday at 9am GMT.
- The deal marks the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
- Over 67,183 Palestinians killed during more than two years of Israeli offensive.
- Agreement includes hostage-prisoner exchange and increased aid to Gaza.
- Israel to partially withdraw troops to a designated line under the plan.
- Netanyahu called the agreement a “critical turning point” and vowed to free all hostages.
- Hamas rejects any role for Tony Blair or foreign rule of Gaza
CAIRO, Egypt: The agreement on the first stage of US President Donald Trump’s plan for ending Israel’s bombardment in Gaza went into effect on Thursday at 9am GMT (2pm Pakistan time), Egyptian state-affiliated TV al-Qahera news reported.
Earlier today, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza, a move aimed at ending more than two years of devastating war that has killed more than 67,183 Palestinians, flattened much of the Palestinian territory, and triggered one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history.
The deal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners as well as an increase in aid to Gaza after more than two years of genocide, after Israel started bombing the Palestinian territory after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The agreement was brokered after prolonged negotiations involving the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye, and marks the first concrete step toward halting Israel’s military campaign that began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack.
Both sides have agreed to an initial framework allowing for the release of all hostages held in Gaza, partial Israeli withdrawal to a designated line, and the freeing of a significant number of Palestinian detainees.
Trump announces deal
US President Donald Trump said the hostages were likely to be released on Monday, calling the breakthrough a “strong, durable, and everlasting peace.”
However, his announcement did not address unresolved issues — including Hamas’s disarmament and the future governance of Gaza.
Hamas has said it would relinquish Gaza governance only to a Palestinian technocrat government supervised by the Palestinian Authority and backed by Arab and Muslim countries.
ALSO READ: Palestinians Celebrate Ceasefire, Express Joy and Relief
The Palestinian group rejected any role for Tony Blair or foreign rule of Gaza.
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. “This means that ALL of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed-upon line.”
Trump also thanked the mediating nations, writing: “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
"I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan… BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!" – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/lAUxi1UPYh
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 8, 2025
Hostage-prisoner exchange within 72 hours
According to a Hamas source cited by AFP, the Palestinian group will release 20 living captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners during the first phase of the agreement. The exchange will take place within 72 hours of implementation, the source said.
Those set for release include 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained by Israel since the start of the war. Qatar confirmed the swap, calling it “the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid.”
The Israeli army said Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had instructed forces to prepare for “any scenario” and to handle the captives’ return “with sensitivity and professionalism.”
Mixed reactions in Israel and Gaza
In a post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring all hostages held in Gaza. “We will bring them all home,” Netanyahu stated.
With God's help we will bring them all home.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 8, 2025
In a separate post on X, he said: “With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home.”
“Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point,” he said, thanking the US president for “his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages”.
With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.
From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 8, 2025
Families of Israeli hostages celebrated the announcement, some gathering in Tel Aviv holding portraits of their loved ones.
In Gaza, residents cautiously welcomed the news, with celebrations breaking out in some areas even as many remained skeptical about whether the truce would hold.
For millions of Palestinians trapped in the besieged enclave, the deal represents a glimmer of hope after relentless bombardment and blockade that have left Gaza’s health system, economy, and infrastructure in ruins.
Trump may travel to Middle East
Earlier, Trump said that he may travel to the Middle East this week as a deal was “very close”.
In a dramatic moment, AFP reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio interrupted an event at the White House and handed Trump an urgent note about the progress of the negotiations in Egypt.
“I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday,” Trump said, adding that he was “most likely” to turn up in Egypt but would also consider going to war-torn Gaza.
Watch as Donald Trump is handed a note by Marco Rubio during an event at the White House.
He tells reporters: ‘I was just given a note saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East and they’re going to need me pretty quickly’https://t.co/n5edP0ayFu
📺 Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/iCKA1W5Gdu
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 8, 2025
Trump’s plan called for a ceasefire, the release of all the captives held in Gaza, Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the territory.
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived at the talks earlier.
An Israeli government spokesperson said the captives’ release was expected to begin on Saturday. Meanwhile, Trump told Fox News’ ‘Hannity’ programme on Wednesday that captives held in Gaza will probably be released on Monday.
