Historic Gaza Ceasefire: All Hostages Freed, Trump Proclaims ‘War Is Over’

Gaza Ceasefire Deal Signed: All Hostages Freed as Trump Declares "War Is Over"

In a historic breakthrough, Hamas has released all 20 surviving Israeli hostages as part of a comprehensive U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal, marking the most significant step toward ending nearly two years of devastating conflict in Gaza. The hostage release triggers a simultaneous prisoner swap and sets the stage for a high-stakes peace summit in Egypt, with former U.S. President Donald Trump proclaiming that "the war is over."

The Israeli military confirmed the return of all living hostages, a moment met with emotional scenes of reunion and public celebration in Israel. The carefully coordinated operation also saw buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners entering Gaza and the West Bank, fulfilling a key pillar of the landmark agreement.

Emotional Scenes as Hostages Return Home

The return of the hostages was a profound moment for Israel. One of the freed hostages, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, encapsulated the national sentiment with his powerful statement: “I have returned — the people of Israel live.”

At Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, crowds gathered to welcome the returnees, with tears of relief and joy marking long-awaited family reunions. On the Palestinian side, cheering families greeted hundreds of released detainees, creating parallel scenes of celebration amid the fragile truce.

Trump's Diplomatic Role and the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit

The ceasefire developments have drawn high-level international involvement, with former President Donald Trump traveling to the region to champion the deal. After declaring the war over, Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset, where he received a standing ovation from lawmakers who praised his role as a broker.

Trump later traveled to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to join a major peace summit involving over 20 world leaders. He framed the agreement as a "new chapter" for Middle East peace and directly challenged Iran to choose diplomacy over confrontation.

In a notable development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to skip the Egypt summit, citing a Jewish holiday. However, he met with Trump at the Knesset, where they jointly welcomed hostage families, and Netanyahu presented Trump with a symbolic golden dove gift.

The Ceasefire Framework: Key Components of the Deal

This agreement establishes the first phase of a broader peace plan. The key components include:

• A complete halt to all hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

• The withdrawal of Israeli troops to pre-defined lines.

• The release of all living hostages and the return of the remains of deceased captives.

• A simultaneous release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

• A proposed 20-point plan for Gaza's future, covering reconstruction, governance, and international oversight.

While the exchange is a transformative development, the path to a lasting peace remains fraught with challenges. Critical issues such as the future governance of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and ensuring full compliance from both parties on withdrawal terms are yet to be resolved.

Potential Risks and Challenges Ahead

Despite the optimistic breakthrough, several significant hurdles could still derail the fragile peace process:

• Compliance and Trust: Ensuring both sides fully adhere to the agreement, particularly regarding troop withdrawal and prisoner releases.

• Gaza's Governance: Establishing a stable governing structure for Gaza and determining the future role of Hamas.

• Security Guarantees: Preventing a relapse into violence if security concerns are not adequately addressed for both Israelis and Palestinians.

• Humanitarian Crisis: Delivering massive reconstruction aid and addressing the profound humanitarian needs in a region devastated by years of conflict.

For many across the region, Monday's events represent a fragile but tangible hope—a potential "new beginning" after years of violence and despair. The world now watches as leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh work to convert this ceasefire into a durable peace.