Saturday, March 29, 2025
Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement, marking a breakthrough after months of devastating conflict. The deal was finalized in Cairo, following renewed negotiations based on U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The agreement comes just days after the war’s second anniversary was marked worldwide.
According to the agreement:
Hostage Release: Hamas will release 48 Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack. However, reports suggest that only around 20 of them are believed to be alive.
Prisoner Exchange: In return, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails. Based on earlier precedents, for each hostage released, at least 100 Palestinians are expected to be freed.
Large-Scale Release: Once all hostages are returned, Israel has pledged to release:
250 Palestinians serving life sentences.
1,700 Gazans arrested after the Hamas attack, including women and children.
Remains Exchange: For every deceased Israeli hostage whose remains are returned, Israel will release 15 Palestinian bodies.
Aid Access: In the first phase, humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza, which has been facing famine-like conditions due to the blockade.
Ceasefire Implementation: All military operations—including airstrikes and artillery shelling—will be suspended. Battle lines will remain frozen until a full phased withdrawal is agreed upon.
Official Signing: The ceasefire document is expected to be signed in Egypt on Thursday.
Trump’s Role: President Trump is scheduled to visit Israel and Egypt later this week.
Mediator Involvement: The U.S. thanked Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for mediating the deal.
Trump celebrated the agreement on his Truth Social platform, writing:
“This is a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, neighboring countries, and the United States. Blessed are the peacemakers!”
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.
In response, Israel imposed a full blockade on Gaza and declared war.
Since then, about 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of them women and children, according to local and UN reports.
Due to the blockade and destruction, the United Nations declared famine in parts of Gaza.
Hostage releases are expected to begin by Saturday, within 72 hours of Israel’s formal approval of the deal.
If fully implemented, this ceasefire could mark the first real pause in the conflict since it began two years ago.
