Israel And Hamas Agree To First Phase Of U.S.-Brokered Peace Deal
on Oct 09, 2025
President Trump Expresses Hope This Will Lead To “Strong, Durable, And Everlasting Peace”
Two days after the two-year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack — which was perpetrated by Hamas against Israel in 2023 and saw 1,195 people killed and 250 hostages taken — Israel and Hamas are preparing to enter a ceasefire in pursuit of the end of the war.
This comes as the both nations have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal that was brokered by the United States with assistance from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
Through this peace agreement, Israel and Hamas are expected to exchange prisoners, among which are approximately 20 surviving hostages who were taken by Hamas in the October 7 attacks. The remains of another 25 hostages are also anticipated.
In addition to releasing prisoners, Israel will also be returning some of the territory it gained in Gaza.
As of the morning of Thursday, October 9, the ceasefire is expected to begin 24 hours from an Israeli security cabinet meeting which is scheduled for later in the day. After 24 hours of a ceasefire, there will be a 72-hour window for making prisoner exchanges.
The peace deal is expected to be signed on October 9 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Announcing the news of the peace plan, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social in the evening of Wednesday, October 8, quoting from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:9, saying, “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
See Trump’s full announcement of Israel and Hamas’ acceptance of the terms of Phase One of the peace plan, here:
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The Gaza War
Following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas, which is the governing authority over Palestine, Israel retaliated with an extensive ground incursion.
Israel began a full-scale invasion of Gaza on October 27, 2023.
Throughout this war, an estimated 2.3 million Palestinians were displaced by the conflict. Further, it is estimated that as many as 64,000 Palestinians have died in the war, while 2,000 Israelis have been killed.
During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to NATO on September 26, he said, “To the remaining Hamas leaders, and to the jailers of our hostages, I now say, ‘Lay down your arms! Let my people go! Free the hostages, all of them, the whole 48. Free the hostages now!'”
Watch Netanyahu’s full remarks to NATO, here:
