ISLAMABAD: Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace framework — a plan aimed at ending more than two years of devastating Israeli military offensive in Gaza that has killed at least 67,183 Palestinians since October 2023.
Key details have been agreed, but major questions remain over disarmament, Gaza’s future governance and how the deal will be implemented.
What was agreed in the first phase
Under the initial framework the parties have accepted, fighting will stop in Gaza, Israeli forces will pull back to an agreed line and Hamas will begin handing over hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The deal is intended as the first step in a broader roadmap to end the Israeli bombardment that has devastated Gaza.
The hostage-prisoner swap — who and when
A Hamas source, cited by Reuters, said that the first phase foresees the release of about 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. He said that, as per the deal, the exchange should occur within 72 hours of the agreement’s implementation.
Israeli officials have said the process could begin within days of cabinet approval. Exact lists and logistics are being finalised by mediators.
What the principal actors say
President Trump announced the breakthrough on his Truth Social platform, saying both sides had “signed off” on the first phase and that “ALL of the hostages will be released very soon”, and he praised mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye.
"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
What did Trump say they agreed to?
Trump, in his Truth Social post, said:
- Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of the peace plan.
- All of the captives will be released very soon.
- Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed-upon line.
- That will be the first step towards a strong and durable peace.
- All parties will be treated fairly.
- Trump also thanked mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal a “critical turning point” and vowed to bring hostages home.
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
Hamas described the agreement as an end to the war that includes an Israeli withdrawal, the entry of aid and a prisoner exchange, while urging guarantors to ensure Israel implements the terms.
What remains unclear
Although the first phase sets out immediate steps, several major issues are unresolved. It is not clear how or when Hamas would disarm, who will govern Gaza after the ceasefire, or how a long-term political settlement would be implemented.
Trump’s later stages envisage an international “Board of Peace” — to be chaired by the US president and including figures such as former British prime minister Tony Blair — to oversee post-war administration, but the mechanics and acceptance of such arrangements are uncertain.
Timetable and immediate next steps
Israeli cabinet approval is expected to be sought quickly; Israeli forces have been told to prepare for a withdrawal to the agreed line, which officials say could take under 24 hours once approved.
The 72-hour clock for the hostage releases would start after that pullback, according to mediators. Mr Trump has said he may travel to Middle East in the coming days to consolidate the deal.
International reaction and humanitarian context
The pact won cautious welcome from many world leaders and the United Nations, which urged rapid implementation and unfettered humanitarian access.
The deal comes against the backdrop of catastrophic losses in Gaza — more than 67,183 Palestinians have been reported killed during the Israeli bombardment campaign — prompting international calls for accountability and urgent relief.
Risks and enforcement challenges
Analysts and rights groups warn implementation will be the hardest part. Observers note that previous ceasefires have broken down and that ensuring compliance — including full Israeli withdrawal, sustained aid flows and an end to the siege — will require sustained pressure from guarantor states and international institutions.
Some experts also question how durable any settlement will be without a clear plan for Hamas’s future role and security guarantees for both civilians and hostages.
