Israel-Hamas agree to first phase of Trump’s Gaza plan: What does it entail?

After two years of fighting that has seen the near obliteration of Gaza and its residents, Wednesday (October 8) was the breakthrough that everyone was waiting for as the United States President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal for the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza, after days of indirect talks in Egypt.

“This is a great day for the world. This is a wonderful day, a wonderful day for everybody,” Trump told Reuters after both parties — Israel and Hamas — agreed upon the first phase of his Gaza peace deal.

The news has been received with happiness and elation across the world. The families of the hostages trapped since October 7, 2023 welcomed news of the deal “with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and concern”. Even the people in Gaza celebrated as joyous scenes broke out on the streets of Khan Younis.

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But between the celebrations and elation, what does all of it mean? Does the agreement to the deal mean the end of the Israel-Hamas war? What about the hostages? We get you everything you wanted to know on the matter.

What has been agreed upon between Israel and Hamas?

Following three days of deliberation in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, which saw representatives from Hamas, Israel, the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey trying to hammer out a deal, it appears that the warring sides agreed upon Trump’s peace deal — at least the first stage of it.

After long deliberations, delegates could be seen hugging and shaking hands in Egypt, and shortly later Trump announced in the most dramatic manner. His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, interrupted a televised meeting at the White House to hand Trump a note and whisper in his ear that a Gaza deal was imminent. Shortly afterwards he announced the agreement on his Truth Social network. “Blessed are the peacemakers!”

This is the moment US Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed a note to President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, before the President announced a deal to end the war in Gaza was close. pic.twitter.com/q1JKiwO262

— The National (@TheNationalNews) October 8, 2025

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According to those in the know, Hamas will now exchange 20 living hostages for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, 250 of them serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained since the start of the war.

The deal also provides for “specific Israeli (troop) withdrawals to coincide with the exchange, and the entry of aid” into the famine-stricken Gaza Strip. Under the deal, a daily minimum of 400 trucks of aid will enter the Gaza Strip for the first five days of the ceasefire, to be increased in following days. It also provides for the “return of displaced persons from the south of the Gaza Strip to Gaza (City) and the north immediately”.

Trump, in an interview to Fox News later, said that the US will play a role in helping to rebuild Gaza and keep it safe and peaceful. “We’ll be involved in helping them make it successful, and helping it stay peaceful,” the US president said, adding that he was “very confident there’ll be peace in the Middle East”.

When will the first phase of Gaza peace deal be implemented?

Following Trump’s big announcement that Israel and Hamas had signed off on the first stage of the peace deal, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “with God’s help we will bring them all home”, referring to the hostages.

Now, the agreement has gone to the Israeli Cabinet for its approval, and once that occurs, Israeli forces will begin withdrawing to the agreed upon boundary, according to a senior White House official. That should take less than 24 hours, according to the official.

That will be followed up with Hamas releasing all 20 hostages — the Palestinian group, as per the deal has been given 72 hours to do the needful.

Trump in an interview to Fox News said that the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza will probably be released on Monday. “They [the hostages] are in a terrible situation there. They are deep, deep in the earth,” Trump said, referring to the Hamas tunnels under Gaza. “As we speak, so much is happening to get the hostages freed.”

“We think they will all be coming back on Monday… and that will include the bodies of the dead,” he added.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), welcoming the signing of the agreement, said: “During a situational assessment held overnight, the chief of the general staff instructed all forces, both on the front lines and in the rear areas, to prepare strong defences and be ready for any scenario.

“At the same time, the chief of the general staff instructed to prepare to lead the operation for the hostages’ return, which is expected to be conducted with sensitivity and professionalism. The IDF will continue to act to achieve the objectives of the war and to defend the citizens of the state of Israel on all fronts.”

Additionally, Hamas has also provided lists of Palestinian prisoners to be released as part of the Gaza ceasefire plan agreement. The Palestinian militant group’s senior official Zaher Jabarin said in a statement Thursday morning, “Hamas affirms that it has handed over lists of Palestinian prisoners in accordance with the criteria agreed as part of the arrangement.”

When the prisoners will be released, is still unknown, however.

How did the world react to the news?

The news of the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace deal being agreed upon is a momentous occasion in the Israel-Hamas war that began after the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it as a great moment, thanking US President Donald Trump for “his leadership, partnership, and unwavering commitment”. Netanyahu rejoiced in the diplomatic success and the homecoming of 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,” he wrote on X, adding, “From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved.”

He further thanked Trump for his role, writing, “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.

“I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages.”

And it wasn’t just Netanyahu who was in a celebratory mood. Celebrations broke out in Gaza with people seen in Khan Younis taking to the streets — dancing and clapping. Similar scenes could also be seen in Tel Aviv’s hostages square. Families of hostages and their supporters started chanting “Nobel prize to Trump”. Some even popped open a bottle of champagne and cheered.
Crying tears of joy, families hugged previously released hostages as the square continued to fill with Israelis.

In Washington, DC, families of the hostages, also called Trump on the phone to thank him for his efforts. “Mr. President, we believe in you, we know you’ve done so much for us… and we trust you will fulfil the mission until every hostage, every 48 of the hostages, are home,” one of the relatives could be heard saying. Another added: “God bless you Mr President, God bless America.”

US President Trump on the phone with Israeli hostage family members and captivity survivors in Washington DC a few moments ago.

Credit: Hostages Families Forum pic.twitter.com/CJAu36cCTM

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) October 9, 2025

Other world leaders, such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Australia’s Anthony Albanese also welcomed the news with the former calling it a ‘moment of profound relief’.

Does this mean the Israel-Hamas war will come to an end?

Now, here lies the tricky part. It remains to be seen if the agreement will bring peace to Gaza and end the hostilities. Experts note that the devil is in the details of Trump’s peace plan; this includes the timing, a post-war administration for the Gaza Strip and the fate of Hamas.

As of now, there is no clear indication who will rule Gaza when the war ends. Netanyahu, Trump, Western and Arab states have ruled out a role for Hamas, which has run Gaza since driving out Palestinian rivals in 2007.

The BBC noted that despite the hopes that this could lead to the end of the war after two years, crucial details still need to be discussed, including a plan for who will govern Gaza and the future of Hamas.

Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter was quoted as telling CNN that Israel hopes the deal will lead to an end to the war, but that will depend on how well it is implemented. “We hope it leads to a complete cessation of hostilities and a rebuilding of Gaza for the sake of the Gazans and for the sake of Israel,” he said. “But it’s the first stage, and we’ve got to see the first stage implemented completely in the next few days.”

But while questions remain on the future, let’s soak in this significant breakthrough and hope that all parties involved do actually give peace a chance as John Lennon once sang.

With inputs from agencies