 | It has been suggested thatYellow Line (Gaza) bemerged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2025. |
| Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Israeli prime ministerBenjamin Netanyahu and U.S. presidentDonald Trump during the introduction of the proposal | |
| Context |
|
| Drafted | September 29, 2025 (2025-09-29) |
| Signed | October 9, 2025 (2025-10-09) |
| Effective | October 10, 2025 (2025-10-10) |
| Mediators | |
| Parties | |
TheGaza peace plan is a multilateral agreement betweenIsrael andHamas that aims to address the ongoingGaza war and broaderMiddle Eastern crisis. Led byUnited States presidentDonald Trump, it was negotiated in consultation with manyArab andMuslim countries. The plan was announced by Trump on September 29, 2025, during a press conference at theWhite House alongside Israeli prime ministerBenjamin Netanyahu. It was signed on October 9, coming into effect the following day, andwas endorsed by theUnited Nations Security Council on 17 November.
After the 2005Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip Hamaswon elections in 2006 and formed a government, first alone and then in agrand coalition withFatah, but laterseized Gaza in 2007. Since then, repeated clashes with Israel have escalated intomajor conflicts, culminating in theOctober 7 attacks by Hamas in 2023, which triggered a large-scaleIsraeli military campaign andgenocide in Gaza. Interim ceasefires inlate 2023 andearly 2025 collapsed.
The Gaza peace plan calls for an immediateceasefire, the return ofall hostages,prisoner exchanges, thedemilitarization of theGaza Strip, the deployment of an international stabilization force,transitional governance by Palestiniantechnocrats under international supervision, large-scale reconstruction, and a conditional pathway toward acceptance of Palestinianself-determination and recognition ofPalestinian statehood. The plan was met with support from many countries around the world, includingFrance,Germany,Russia,Italy,Spain, theUnited Arab Emirates,Egypt,Turkey,Qatar,Jordan,Indonesia,Pakistan,Canada, and theUnited Kingdom.[2] Prior to Trump's announcement of the plan, a senior Hamas official said that Hamas rejected proposed terms of demilitarization.[3][4] Upon revealing the peace proposal, Trump gave Hamas a deadline of October 5, 2025 to accept.[5] On October 3, in response to the proposal, Hamas agreed to release any remaining hostages in Gaza and to "hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independent technocrats", though it did not agree to disarm or to forgo influence in Gaza.[6][7]
On October 8, Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement to begin the first phase of the deal. Under this phase, all living hostages were to be released in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences, within 72 hours of the withdrawal of Israeli forces to pre-designated lines within the Gaza Strip.[8] The ceasefire went into effect on October 10,[9] though there have been numerous violations since.
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History
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Proposals
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Intermittent discussions are held by various parties and proposals put forward in an attempt to resolve theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict through apeace process.[10] Since the 1970s, there has been a parallel effort made to find terms upon which peace can be agreed to in both this conflict and the widerArab–Israeli conflict. Notably, theCamp David Accords betweenEgypt andIsrael included discussions on plans for Palestinian autonomy, but did not include any Palestinian representatives. The autonomy plan was not implemented, but its stipulations were represented to a large extent in theOslo Accords.[11]
Despite the failure of the peace process to produce a final agreement, the international consensus has for decades supported atwo-state solution to the conflict, based onUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and338. This includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state under thepre-1967 borders includingEast Jerusalem and a resolution to the refugee question based on thePalestinian right of return (in accordance withUnited Nations General Assembly Resolution 194, though Israel disputes this interpretation).[12][13] This is in contrast to the current situation under the Oslo Accords in which thePalestinian territories aredivided into areas of varying jurisdiction between Israeli military control and thePalestinian National Authority (PA), with the PA only having partial self-rule inArea A of the West Bank and in theGaza Strip. A final settlement as stipulated by the Oslo Accords has yet to be reached.[14]As part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Gaza has beenoccupied by Israel since 1967 along with theWest Bank and East Jerusalem. The International Court of Justice hasruled the occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal under international law.[15] Following the 2005Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip, control of the area was transferred to thePalestinian Authority (PA). Hamas, aPalestinian nationalistIslamist political and militant group,won the majority of seats in the Palestinian legislative election in January 2006.[16] Israel frequently instated blockades on imports of goods to Gaza in 2006, including before and during the election;[17][18][19][20][a] while a blockade on exports cut off Gaza's existing industries (textiles, furniture, greenhouse berry farming) from foreign markets.[21] The blockade was tightened after Hamas captured Israeli soldierGilad Shalit in June 2006.[22]
Hamas formed a government, first alone (early 2006) and then in agrand coalition with Fatah (March 2007) while still being the majority party. Ina battle in June 2007, Hamas ousted the remaining Fatah officials and took sole control of theGaza Strip. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, PA President Mahmoud Abbas (of Fatah) officially dismissed the government and, by a decree, formed a new one which did not include Hamas; this government was recognized by Israel as representing the PA.[b] Hamas's takeover ledIsrael andEgypt to impose a blockade on Gaza, also in response to the thousands of rockets and mortar Hamas fired into Israeli territory;[22][23] the number of munitions fired by Israel on Gaza remained consistently higher in 2006 than the number of munitions fired from Gaza on Israeli territory.[24][25] Over the years, Israel and Hamas have engaged inseveral conflicts, including in2006,2008-2009,2012,2014 and2021 (of which at least the first three were prompted by Israel either assassinating a Palestinian militant leader in Gaza or sending foot soldiers into Gaza[26][27][28][29]); during these conflicts Hamas intensified its rocket attacks against Israel, and Israel attacked the Gaza Strip with aerial bombing and artillery shelling.[30]
In October 2023, Hamas launched theOctober 7 attacks infiltrating Israel from Gaza via multiple routes. The attack began with thousands of rockets fired into Israel and was followed by massacres in multiple border towns,kibbutzim and at theNova music festival. The attack killed 1,195 people, mostly civilians. Hamas militants also took around 251 hostages and captives.[31] The assault prompted significant Israeli military retaliation, escalating into theGaza war, which involved a large-scaleinvasion andbombardment of the Gaza Strip by theIsrael Defense Forces (IDF). More than 68,000 Palestinianshave been killed in the conflict, mostly civilians.[32][33][34] A wide scholarly consensus has concluded that Israel's conduct during the war amounts togenocide in Gaza.[c]
On November 24, 2023, after a long fighting period between Israel and Hamas, aceasefire was achieved due to efforts ofQatar, Egypt, and the United States. At first the ceasefire was meant to last 4 days with the release of 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners, while morehumanitarian aid was sent into Gaza. The ceasefire was extended twice based on further hostage releases but ultimately ended on December 1 after both sides accused each other of violations.[35][36][37]
On January 19, 2025,another ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began, after an agreement reached on January 15 following months of negotiation mediated once again by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The ceasefire had three stages; the first stage saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. During that time Israeli troops withdrew from populated areas in Gaza, while humanitarian aid was sent in along with displaced Palestinians returning home. During the first stage of the ceasefire, talks were supposed to begin between both parties about the specifics of a more permanent cessation of hostilities in the second and third stages. In the second stage, all living hostages would have been released by Hamas, and Israel would have released more Palestinian prisoners and completely withdraw its forces from Gaza. The third stage would involve, among others, an exchange of the bodies of dead hostages for the bodies of dead Palestinians.[38]
The terms of the second and third stage were written into the agreement, but the agreement nevertheless said that talks will continue on the details of the second and third stage.[39][40]
Hamas wanted the agreement to guarantee that the second and third stage will actually happen; and that, until then, the initial ceasefire will remain in force. Israel wanted the agreement to say that mediators (but not necessarily Hamas or Israel) will make every effort that talks about the details of the second and third stage will continue; in case they do not continue, the initial ceasefire, and all other terms of the first stage, would automatically expire after six weeks.[39][40]
According to information about the contents of the January 2025 agreement published by the Israeli media, the final text of the agreement was based on the Israeli proposal, including the mechanism allowing the ceasefire to expire.[39][40][41] This led pro-Israeli commenters to argue that Israel did not violate the ceasefire when it resumed the war in March 2025.[42]
OnJanuary 20, 2025, U.S. PresidentJoe Biden's presidential term ended, and he left completion of the ceasefire agreement in the hands of his successor,Donald Trump. Both Trump and Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu lead political parties described as right-wing, and though the two leaders had disagreements, Trump was seen at the time as more likely to favor Israel and give it permission to do as it pleased with Palestinian territory.[43]
On February 4, 2025,United States presidentDonald Trump declared his intent for the U.S. to take over theGaza Strip and expelPalestinians from the territory.[44] The proposal was made duringa ceasefire in theGaza war, fought betweenIsrael andHamas-ledPalestinian militants. Trump expressed his vision to redevelop the territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East".[45]
The plan called for theforced displacement of approximately two million Palestinians to neighboring lands.[46] It would also have required the removal of over 50 million tonnes of debris andunexploded ordnance.[45] When asked how the territory would be acquired, Trump claimed the U.S. would "take it".[47] The proposal received negative receptions from several nations and organizations, contrasting with strong support from Israeli prime ministerBenjamin Netanyahu.[48]After completion of the agreement's first phase, Israel proposed extending the first stage. Hamas rejected this saying the ceasefire should proceed to the second phase as originally agreed.[49] On March 18, 2025,Israel launched a surprise attack on the Gaza Strip, ending the ceasefire. The United States and Israel blamed Hamas for the collapse of the ceasefire by refusing to release additional hostages while Hamas accused Israel of causing the collapse of the ceasefire.[37][50]
At the White House press conference on September 29, 2025, U.S. president Donald Trump stated that the United States would play an active role in ensuring Israel's security following a new ceasefire agreement. He emphasized that if Hamas accepted the deal, all hostages, both living and deceased, would be released almost immediately. Trump also expressed his intention to end the war and noted that he was "hearing that Hamas wants to get this done".[51]
Trump stated thatIsrael withdrew from Gaza in 2005 in an effort to promote peace, stating, "They said, You take it. This is our contribution to peace. But that didn't work out."[52] Trump further mentioned that during his meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu had clearly opposed the establishment of aPalestinian state and criticized other countries that had "foolishly"recognized one. He added that Israel and other nations were "beyond very close" to reaching a deal to end the war, thanking Netanyahu for his efforts. Trump reiterated that the agreement would involveArab countries and could lead to broader peace in theMiddle East.[51]
Trump called the 20-point plan an "extremely fair proposal" and urged Hamas to accept it, expressing confidence that a positive response would be forthcoming, though he affirmed Israel's right to act if Hamas rejected the deal.[51] On October 3, 2025, Trump gave Hamas a deadline of October 5, 2025, 18:00 Washington D.C. time (22:00 GMT), to accept the proposed agreement.[53] In an interview toCNN the next day, Trump threatened Hamas, stating that if it refused to give up control of Gaza it would face "complete obliteration".[54]
On October 8, in aFox News interview, Trump said there was a "set of circumstances" that enabled the agreement, includingIsraeli andAmerican strikes in Iran aimed at destroying theIslamic Republic's nuclear program.[55] The immediate triggering event that reportedly caused Trump to force Israel to end the war was theIsraeli attack on Doha, which violated Qatar's territorial integrity in a failed attempt to kill Hamas negotiators.[56] European and Arab countries also strongly backed the proposal, with Arab countries having close commercial and diplomatic ties to Trump, more European countries promising torecognize Palestine as a state, and increasing global opinion criticising theGaza genocide.[56] Due to domestic political differences, Trump felt freer to put pressure on Israel, and in the months of his second term, Israel had achieved all of its major military objectives in Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza.[56]
Several commenters argued that the timing of the deal was motivated by Trump's desire to win aNobel Peace Prize.[57][58][59] The2025 prize, announced on October 10, 2025, was not awarded to Trump.[60] It was awarded toMaría Corina Machado, aVenezuelan opposition leader, who said she was grateful for what Trump was doing "around the world for peace".[61] Machado also stated she believes Trump "absolutely" deserves a Nobel Peace Prize of his own for "incredible events that are taking place currently in the world"; according to CNN, she was "referring to Trump's efforts to broker peace in the Middle East".[62] Since January 2025, Trump has expressed his wish to be awarded the prize.[63] Political scientist Scott Lucas opined that Trump was "desperate" to obtain the prize because former US presidentBarack Obama won the2009 prize.[64] Trump justified his qualification for the prize by claiming to have "ended seven wars". On October 9, Nina Graeger ofPeace Research Institute Oslo argued that Trump had "not yet made a substantial enough contribution to peace to win the prize". She stated that it was "too early" to judge if Trump's involvement in the Gaza war would "lead to lasting peace". Graeger stated that Trump'swithdrawalsfrom international agreements, hisproposed acquisition of Greenland, and his "infringements on basic democratic rights" in the US weakened his case.[63]
The plan's 20 points are as follows:[65]
- Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
- Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
- If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.
- Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.
- Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7, 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
- Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.
- Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.
- Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under theJanuary 19, 2025, agreement.
- Gaza will be governed under the temporarytransitional governance of atechnocratic,apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the "Board of Peace", which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including former prime ministerTony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including PresidentTrump's peace plan in 2020 andthe Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.
- A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.
- A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.
- No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.
- Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.
- A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.
- The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporaryInternational Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult withJordan andEgypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.
- Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the United States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.
- In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.
- An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.
- While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.
- The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.
The plan mandated an immediate cessation of hostilities, with all military operations suspended and frontlines frozen. All Israeli hostages, alive and deceased, were to be returned within 72 hours. Palestinian prisoners were to be released proportionally, including 250 life sentence prisoners and 1,700 individuals arrested since the war began. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.[67][68][51]
The proposed strategy includes the destruction of Hamas's offensive weaponry, such astunnels and military infrastructure, to neutralize their capacity for further violence. The statement says that Gaza will be "a de-radicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors". It also offers amnesty to Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence, with safe passage provided for those opting for exile. Additionally, a temporary international stabilization force, composed of U.S., Arab, and European personnel, would be deployed to oversee security and facilitate the training of a Palestinianpolice force, ensuring long-term stability and peace.[67][68][69][51]
APalestinian Committee, led byPalestinian technocrats and supported by an internationalBoard of Peace, is planned to be established in phase 3 to manage day-to-day governance and oversee the rebuilding and repair of infrastructure. Humanitarian aid is to be delivered without interference, with international organizations such as theUnited Nations and theRed Crescent overseeing its distribution to ensure fairness and efficiency. Additionally, efforts are planned to encourage Palestinians to remain in Gaza, offering support to those choosing to stay and rebuild their communities.[70][71]
The strategy includes the acknowledgment ofPalestine as a state, contingent upon successful reconstruction efforts and necessary reforms within thePalestinian Authority. To pave the way for long-term peace, a dialogue would be initiated between Israel and the Palestinians to establish a political framework that promotes peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding.[67] Although the plan recognizes the Palestinian state as a possibility that is "the aspiration of the Palestinian people", it does not say that the United States would recognize Palestine as a state.[72]
On September 30, Donald Trump's proposal was forwarded to Hamas and Trump stated that the group had "three or four days" to respond to the plan.[73] Hamas has announced that they were studying the proposal "in good faith".[74]
On October 2, reports emerged that Hamas's political leadership in Qatar were open to accepting the proposed deal and asked for additional clauses for international guarantees concerning Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the safety of its leadership.[75][76] However, Hamas's leader in the Gaza Strip itself,Izz al-Din al-Haddad, has been reported to have objections to the proposal.[77] An investigation by the New York Times found widespread support for the plan amongst civilians in the Gaza Strip,[78] with many urging Hamas to accept the deal.[79] The Egyptian and Qatari governments continued working to convince Hamas to accept the proposal.[80] Hamas pushed to secure the release ofMarwan Barghouti, but Israel refused.[81]
On October 3, Trump gave Hamas a deadline of Sunday October 5, 2025, 18:00 Washington D.C. time (22:00 GMT), to accept the proposed deal.[5] Later that day, Hamas announced that they would release all Israeli hostages, living and deceased and expressed willingness to negotiate on Trump's proposed plan, though it did not agree to disarm or forgo influence in Gaza.[6][7] Trump responded by saying that he believes that Hamas is "ready for lasting peace", and urged Israel to "immediately stop bombing Gaza" to allow for the safe release of hostages.[82] Despite Trump's request for it to stop, Israel continued its bombing up to October 5, killing 70 Palestinians, stating, in one of those strikes, that it targeted a Hamas militant who posed a threat to its forces, expressing regret for harm to uninvolved civilians, and saying it "works to mitigate harm to uninvolved civilians as much as possible".[83][84]
On October 4, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the armed forces to halttheir offensive in Gaza City in response to Trump's demands.[85][86] It was reported that talks between Palestinian factions, including Hamas, regarding the future governance of Gaza would take place in Cairo.[87] US Special Envoy to the Middle East,Steve Witkoff, andJared Kushner were reported to be heading to Cairo to finalise the technical details of the hostage release and discuss the lasting peace deal.[88] Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas were planned to take place over the next few days in Egypt.[89] Later that evening, Trump posted on social media that Israel "has agreed to the initial withdrawal line" and that when Hamas confirms, a ceasefire will "be IMMEDIATELY effective".[90]
On October 5, it was reported that the talks would be held inSharm el Sheikh. The Israeli delegation would be led by Strategic Affairs MinisterRon Dermer and the Hamas delegation led byKhalil Al-Hayya.[91] Trump stated that the talks may take "a couple of days" and called for "everyone to move fast", adding, "I am told that the first phase should be completed this week."[92]
On October 6, negotiators from Israel and Hamas began indirect talks inSharm el-Sheikh, Egypt to discuss the release of the remaining Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoner exchange mediated by Egyptian, Qatari, Turkish and US officials.[93][94][1] The talks lasted for around four hours and ended on a positive note, with a road map agreed for further talks the following day.[95]
Two rounds of negotiations were held on October 7, with sources describing "progress" being made. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and Qatari prime ministerMohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani were expected[needs update] to join the talks on October 8.[96] A five-point agenda for further talks, covering ending the war, prisoner and hostage exchange, Israeli withdrawal, humanitarian assistance and post-war was agreed.[97]
On October 8, Trump was handed a handwritten note from secretary of stateMarco Rubio during a live television appearance stating an agreement was "very close" and that he would need to "approve aTruth social post soon so you can announce deal first".[98][99] Shortly thereafter, reports emerged that an agreement had been reached and would be signed the following day.[100][101] Trump subsequently confirmed that an agreement on the first phase of the deal had been approved by both sides, posting on social media that, "I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan."[98] The agreement was signed in Egypt at 12 noon local time on October 9. Hostages were to be freed over the weekend or early the following week, with Hamas releasing 20 living hostages in exchange for Israel's release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 prisoners that had been detained since the war began.[98][102]
On October 13, Hamas released the 20 living hostages and Israel began to release the Palestinian prisoners.[103]
Vice president of the Palestinian Authority,Hussein al-Sheikh, met withTony Blair on October 12, 2025, to discuss the ceasefire and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.[104]
Aninternational summit on the next phase of the peace plan was convened on October 13 inSharm El Shaikh, Egypt. Prior to the summit, Trump stated that negotiations for phase two of the peace plan had begun.[105][106]
On October 14, Egyptian foreign ministerBadr Abdelatty stated that fifteen Palestinian technocrats had been chosen to lead a post-warinterim administration for the Gaza Strip. He added that the list had been agreed by all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, and had been vetted by Israel.[107] On October 24, Hamas announced it is willing to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip.[108] On November 8, vice-president of the Palestinian Authority, Hussein al-Sheikh, stated that the Palestinian Authority and Hamas had agreed that any future Palestinian technical government for the Gaza Strip would be led by a minister suggested by the Palestinian Authority with health minister and former mayor of Gaza,Maged Abu Ramadan, being named as a possible candidate.[109]
US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Trump adviser Jared Kushner arrived in Israel on October 20 and were joined by US vice-presidentJD Vance the following day.[110]
TheEuropean Union together with thePalestinian Authority convened the first summit of the newly formed "Palestine Donor Group" in Brussels on 20 November 2025.[111]
The first part of the peace plan, titled the "Implementation Steps for President Trump's Proposal for a Comprehensive End of Gaza War", was signed by Israel and Hamas on October 9, 2025, in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.[112][113] The agreed to text was as follows:
Implementation Steps for President Trump's Proposal for a "Comprehensive End of Gaza War"
Implementation steps:
- President Trump announces the end to the war in the Gaza Strip, and that the parties have agreed to implement the necessary steps to that end.
- The war will immediately end upon the approval of the Israeli government. All military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment and targeting operations will be suspended. During the 72-hour period, aerial surveillance will be suspended over the areas which IDF forces have withdrawn from.
- Immediate commencement of full entry of humanitarian aid and relief as determined in the Proposal, and at a minimum in consistence with the 19 January 2025 agreement regarding humanitarian aid. Humanitarian aid and relief implementation steps are attached herewith.
- The IDF will withdraw to the lines agreed upon, as per map X attached herewith, and this will be completed after President Trump's announcement and within 24 hours of Israeli government's approval. The IDF will not return to areas it has withdrawn from, as long as Hamas fully implements the agreement.
- Within 72 hours of the withdrawal of Israeli forces, all Israeli hostages, living and deceased, held in Gaza will be released (list attached).
- As soon as the IDF completes the withdrawal, Hamas will commence investigating the status of the hostages and collect all information pertaining to them. Hamas will provide feedback on its findings through the information-sharing mechanism under 5.e below. Israel will provide information on the Palestinian prisoners and detainees from the Gaza Strip held in Israel.
- Within the 72 hours, Hamas will release all living hostages, including those held by the Palestinian factions in Gaza.
- Within the 72 hours, Hamas will release the remains of the deceased hostages in its possession and those in the possession of the Palestinian factions in Gaza.
- Hamas will share, within the 72 hours, all the information it obtained relating to any remaining deceased hostages through the information-sharing mechanism in paragraph (e) below. Israel will provide information on the remains of the deceased Gazans held by Israel.
- Establishment of an information-sharing mechanism between the two sides through the mediators and the ICRC, to exchange information and intelligence on any remaining deceased hostages that were not retrieved within the 72 hours or remains of Gazans held by Israel. The mechanism shall ensure that the remains of all the hostages are fully and safely exhumed and released. Hamas shall exert maximum effort to ensure the fulfillment of these commitments as soon as possible.
- As Hamas releases all the hostages, Israel will release in parallel the corresponding number of Palestinian prisoners as per the attached lists.
- The exchange of hostages and prisoners will be done according to the mechanism agreed upon through the mediators and through the ICRC without any public ceremonies or media coverage.
- A task force will be formed of representatives from the United States, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and other countries agreed upon by the parties, to follow-up on the implementation with the two sides and coordinate with them.
The timeline is as follows:
The Israeli cabinet approved the agreement in the early hours of October 10, 2025.[114] Subsequently, the Israeli armed forces began withdrawing from parts of the Gaza Strip to agreed-upon deployment lines (theyellow line).[115] The withdrawal was completed at 12 noon local time on October 10, at which point the ceasefire formally came into effect.[116] The United States began establishing a joint control centre under the leadership ofBrad Cooper, head ofUS Central Command, to monitor the cessation of hostilities.[117][118][119]
On October 11, Brad Cooper, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner travelled into the Gaza Strip to verify Israel's compliance with the first phase of the agreement.[120]
On October 12, Hamas announced it was prepared to transfer the 20 living hostages to Israel. In response, Netanyahu stated, "Israel is prepared and ready for the immediate reception of all our hostages." Israeli sources indicated they believed Hamas would release the hostages before midnight on Sunday so that they would be under Israeli care when Trump arrived in Israel on Monday morning.[121] Coordinator for Hostages and Missing PersonsGal Hirsch said the most "realistic" time for the hostages' return is 6 or 7 a.m. on Monday, though there are reports they could return earlier.[122] That evening, Trump declared that "The war is over" and that the Board of Peace and interim administration would be formed quickly.[123]
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On October 13 at 8 a.m., inGaza City, Hamas released 7 hostages to theRed Cross and then into the custody of IDF troops.[124] Around 11 a.m., in the southern Gaza Strip, Hamas released the additional 13 living hostages to the Red Cross and then into the custody of IDF troops.[125] Hamas ultimately decided to return the remains of four of the dead hostages later on October 13, despite agreeing to release all 28.[126] According to Israeli officials the released hostages were aged 22–48, and included a pair of twin brothers and IDF soldiers.[127] Hamas permitted certain hostages to conduct video calls with their families shortly prior to their release.[128] Following their release, the hostages were transported to medical facilities, includingSheba Medical Center inTel Hashomer, for evaluation and treatment. They faced a range of health issues, including malnutrition, loss of muscle and fat, shrapnel injuries, burns, and other physical trauma. Some also experienced complications from overfeeding shortly before their release after months ofstarvation.[129]
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Later on October 13, 2025, during a ceremony in Gaza, theIsraeli Defense Forces received the caskets containing the bodies of four deceased hostages and then brought the caskets out of Gaza and into Israel after crossing theGaza-Israel border.[130] The deceased hostages were reportedly aged between 22 and 53, and included a Nepalese agriculture student and an IDF soldier.[127] On October 15, Israeli officials reported that one of the returned bodies was not that of a hostage.[131]
As of October 25, Hamas had returned the remains of only 15 deceased hostages, while the remains of 13 others remained in its possession that it is obligated to return under the agreement. Trump issued a statement acknowledging that Hamas may not know the location of some remains, but noted that there are several to which the group has access and is nevertheless withholding. He warned Hamas that it would be held responsible if the ceasefire collapses and stated that he would closely monitor the group's compliance with the agreement over the next 48 hours.[132]
On October 30, Hamas returned to Israel the remains of two deceased hostages, who were abducted from their homes and killed in Hamas captivity. Israeli authorities confirmed their identities the same day. As of that date, the remains of 11 additional deceased hostages were still being held in Gaza, and Israel said Hamas is "required to fulfill its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the implementation of the agreement".[133]
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On November 2, Hamas returned the remains of three deceased hostages to Israel. These hostages, includingAsaf Hamami andOmer Neutra, were soldiers who were abducted after being killed in combat during the October 7 attacks. As of that date, the remains of eight more deceased hostages were still being held in Gaza.[134]
On November 4, Hamas transferred to Israel the remains of the hostage Itay Chen, a7th Armored Brigade soldier killed in his tank nearNahal Oz on October 7 attacks. Chen was the last slain hostage with US citizenship still held in Gaza. As of that date, the bodies of seven more deceased hostages remained in the Strip.[135]
On November 5, Hamas transferred to Israel the remains of the hostage Joshua Loitu Mollel, a 21-year-old Tanzanian agricultural intern abducted from Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7 attacks. As of that date, the bodies of six more deceased hostages remained in the Strip.[136]
On November 7, Hamas transferred to Israel the remains of the hostage Lior Rudaeff, a 61‑year‑old the deputy security coordinator at Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak and a member of its civil‑defence squad, who was killed on the morning of October 7, 2023, during the militant attack, with his body subsequently abducted to Gaza. As of that date, the remains of five additional deceased hostages remained in the Strip.[137]
On November 9, the remains of the hostageHadar Goldin were returned to Israel, after more than 11 years in captivity by Hamas. He had been killed and abducted during the2014 Gaza War on August 1, 2014, amid a humanitarian cease‑fire and subsequent tunnel attack. As of that date, the remains of four additional deceased hostages were still held in the Gaza Strip.[138]
After the return of the living hostages, Israel began releasingPalestinian prisoners, both living and deceased. Some 45 bodies of Palestinians were turned over to the Red Cross without identification on October 15, with more expected.[131] TheNasser Medical Complex in Gaza later reported that Israel had returned the remains of the 45 Palestinians withblindfolds,handcuffs, andlegcuffs still on the bodies.[139] As of October 20, Israel had returned 150 bodies to Gaza, of which 135 had been held atSde Teiman detention camp. According to doctors inKhan Yunis, forensic examinations "indicate that Israel carried out acts of murder, summary executions andsystematic torture against many of the Palestinians", and showed "signs of direct gunfire at point-blank range and bodies crushed beneath Israeli tank tracks".[140] Reports of torture were confirmed by Palestinian detainees who were released alive by Israel as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.[141] The IDF denied engaging in torture, stated that it operates in accordance with international law, and said it had returned the bodies of combatants, but this could not be independently verified. Relatives of some of the deceased denied these allegations.[142][143]
The living Palestinians released by Israel include 1,718 Gaza detaineesarrested over the course of the war. About 1,700 of these Gazans had beenheld without charge.[144] Prior to the release, 11,056 Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children, were held in Israeli prisons according toHaMoked, with about 3,500 of those held inadministrative detention without trial. Some of the released prisoners were seen with protruding cheekbones, showing signs of recent beatings, and had to be supported by relatives as they were unable to walk.[144] Among the released were 250 Palestinians who had been serving one or more life terms, most fordeadly attacks on Israelis, while others had been convicted of lesser offenses, according to theJustice Ministry.[145] Of these, 154 were expelled to Egypt, from where they are expected to be relocated to third countries, while the remainder returned to their homes in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.[145] According to a list published by Hamas, those freed from Gaza included two women, six minors under 18, and about 30 men over 60.[145]
The phase one agreement stipulated that humanitarian aid should enter the Gaza Strip once hostilities had ceased. From October 21, 2025, theUnited Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs began to publish daily reports about efforts of recovery in Gaza after the cease fire, monitoring the establishment of food distribution centers, increase in medical help, measures to protect women, people with disabilities and so on.[146] By 18 November 2025, it was reported that an average of 800 aid trucks were entering the Gaza Strip every day.[147]
ACivil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), under the leadership of AdmiralBrad Cooper, head ofUS Central Command, was set up shortly after the ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10, 2025. The center aims to help facilitate the flow of humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance from international counterparts into Gaza. US diplomatSteven Fagin serves as the civilian lead of the CMCC.[148]
On November 3,[149] the United States submitted a draft resolution to theUnited Nations Security Council that would mandate a Stabilization Force for two years under the direction of a Board of Peace.[150][151] The draft underwent two further revisions before being adopted asUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on November 17.
The Gaza-based human rights organization, thePalestinian Centre for Human Rights, documented at least 129 violations by Israel between October 13 and October 18.[168]Since the commencement of the ceasefire on October 10, Israeli attacks killed 342 Palestinians across 497 ceasefire violations, according to the Gaza Government Media Office.[169] Those killed by Israel are often subsequently accused of approaching the so-called "yellow line" intended to demarcate the boundaries of Israel's withdrawal within Gaza.[170] As well, while the agreement called for 600 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza per day, Israel allowed an average of 145 trucks to enter per day between October 10 and November 2.[171]
According to an analysis published inThe Wall Street Journal, Hamas's shift towards agreeing to the peace deal was primarily driven by growing diplomatic pressure both from within and outside the group. This pressure stemmed from Arab and other Muslim countries, especially Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, who urged Hamas to accept the agreement. Their pressure was influenced by Trump's efforts and by the Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Iran, and Qatar, which heightened fears in the Arab world of Israel's growing power. Additionally, Hamas faced pressure at home, where the people in Gaza were suffering from hunger and destruction and simply wanted the war to end. These factors combined to force Hamas into agreeing to release the hostages and sign the first part of the peace deal, as it saw no other way to end the war.[195]
HistorianRashid Khalidi stated on October 13, 2025, that Trump's plan was not a genuine peace process, since it consisted of aceasefire, ahostage exchange, and a temporary lift of theIsraeli blockade of Gaza, but did not contain plans for "completely equal rights for all individuals and both peoples".[196] Belén Fernández wrote inAl Jazeera that Tony Blair's inclusion in the transitional government "smacks rather hard ofcolonialism" and that Blair's support for the2003 invasion of Iraq should preclude him from any role on the "Board of Peace".[197]The Guardian wrote that the plan does not provide Palestinians with "meaningful agency" and "risks freezing subjugation under the language of peace".[198] Human rights attorneyNoura Erakat said that the goal of the plan is to "force outcomes onto the Palestinian people".[199]Diana Buttu, a former spokesperson for the PLO, said the plan "normalised genocide".[200]
Support in the Israeli government was mixed. Finance MinisterBezalel Smotrich denounced the plan as "a historic missed opportunity" which will force Israel to "fight in Gaza again".[2] Leader of the OppositionYair Lapid endorsed the plan and said, "Israel should announce it is joining the discussions led by the president to finalize the details of the deal."[201]
Israeli opposition politicianBenny Gantz lauded "Trump's extraordinary efforts to secure a hostage deal and safeguard Israeli security" and said the plan "must be implemented, our hostages brought home, Israel's operational freedom maintained, Hamas's terror regime in Gaza replaced, and moderate Arab States instated instead as I proposed a year and a half ago".[202]
On October 12, 2025, Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu warned that the "military campaign is not over" and that Israel's enemies were "trying to recover in order to attack us again".[203][204] Defense MinisterIsrael Katz announced that "Israel's great challenge after the phase of returning the hostages will be the destruction of all of Hamas' terror tunnels in Gaza."[205] Katz said he "instructed the IDF to prepare to carry out the mission".[206]
ThePalestinian Authority called Trump's efforts "sincere and determined" and said that it is committed to holding new parliamentary and presidential elections within a year of the war's end, changing school curriculum, and forming a new security force, while affirming its desire for a "modern, democratic, and non-militarized Palestinian state, committed to pluralism and the peaceful transfer of power".[207]
Taher al-Nounou, a senior Hamas official, said in September they were not consulted about the current proposal and, in any case, they will not accept the demilitarization offer as Israel has demanded.[3][4] Hamas leader in Gaza,Izz al-Din al-Haddad, reportedly objected to the proposal as he is thought to believe that the plan aims to finish Hamas. Hamas's political leadership in Qatar have been reported to be open to accepting the proposal with certain amendments.[77] On October 3, 2025, Hamas issued an official response, declaring its readiness to release all hostages, to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to independent Palestinian technocrats and to negotiate further details.[6]
Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaderZiyad al-Nakhalah called the plan an attempt by Israel to impose through the U.S. "what it could not achieve through war" and condemned "the American-Israeli declaration" as "a recipe for blowing up the region".[2] Following Hamas's agreement to the plan, the PIJ followed suit and said Hamas's response "represents the stance of the Palestinian resistance forces".[208]
In thePopular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, senior member Abu Ali Hassan, said that the plan is "a recipe for managing the war and prolonging it, not for its end". He also called the plan "a desperate attempt to separate Gaza from the Palestinian territorial entity".[209]
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International leaders widely welcomed the ceasefire, affirmed its importance, and hoped it would lead to lasting peace.[210][211]Argentine presidentJavier Milei stated that Trump should be awarded theNobel Peace Prize.[212]Canadian prime ministerMark Carney praised the efforts of Trump, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey in negotiating the agreement and called on Israel and Hamas to carry out their commitment to free all hostages.[213] The collectivepresidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina unanimously decided to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his "commitment to establishing lasting peace in Gaza" and the Middle East, marking this the first official nomination for the 2026 edition of the award.[214]
Immediately following the release of the hostages, U.S. President Trump visited Israel and addressed Israel's Parliament, theKnesset, celebrating the release of hostages and calling for a commitment to end fighting and rebuild Gaza.[215] He described the ceasefire as marking "not only the end of war, but the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God", and stated that Israel had "won all that it can by force of arms… Now it is time to translate these victories… into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East."[216] He urged Palestinians to "turn forever from the path of terror and violence" and extended an appeal to Iran for "friendship and cooperation". Trump also highlighted the role of Arab and Muslim countries in pressuring Hamas to release hostages, calling it "an incredible triumph for Israel to have all these nations working together as partners in peace".[216]
On October 6, 2025,High RepresentativeKaja Kallas announced that theEuropean Union seeks a role in the proposed transitional authority for Gaza, stating, "we feel that Europe has a great role and we should be also on board with this."[217] The European Union has two overseas operations in the Palestinian territories, theEuropean Union Border Assistance Mission to Rafah and theEuropean Union Mission for the Support of Palestinian Police and Rule of Law.
TheUnited Nations special rapporteur for human rights "expressed hope for a permanent ceasefire", but said that multiple portions of the plan contradicted international law and theICJ advisory opinion on Israel's occupation of Palestine.[218]
On October 23, 2025, theKnesset passed apreliminary reading of bill that would extendIsraeli sovereignty to allIsraeli settlements in the West Bank.[219] The bill was condemned by Secretary of StateMarco Rubio as "counterproductive" to Trump's Gaza peace plan. Trump added that "Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened."[220]
In October 2025,Steven Fagin, who previously served as theU.S. ambassador to Yemen, was designated as the civilian leader of theCivil-Military Coordination Center to facilitate the implementation of the peace plan. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the center located inKiryat Gat, which is 56 kilometers (34.7 miles) south ofTel Aviv, and remarked that the center demonstrated a "healthy optimism" regarding advancements in the implementation of the ceasefire.[221]
The international community has consistently supported a settlement of the Israel-Palestine conflict that calls for two states based on a full Israeli withdrawal to its pre-June 1967 borders, and a just resolution of the refugee question based on the right of return and compensation.
So let us not forget how we got here. Hamas was elected by the Palestinian people. Israel withdrew from Gaza thinking they would live in peace. Remember that—a long time ago, they withdrew. They said, You take it. This is our contribution to peace. But that didn't work out. That didn't work out. It was the opposite of peace.
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