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Photographs of some of the hostages still held in Gaza, held by relatives during a demonstration in Jerusalem last month (Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP via Getty Images)
Published: 9 October 2025
Last updated: 9 October 2025
A historic agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, marking the official end of the war in Gaza. Under the first phase of the deal, Israel will partially withdraw its troops from the Strip while Hamas will release 20 Israeli hostages confirmed to be alive.
The agreement commits both sides to uphold a lasting ceasefire and prohibits any return to hostilities as long as the terms are observed. The United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye have acted as brokers and will provide guarantees to enforce compliance.
President Donald Trump announced the deal on Truth Social and described it as “a great day for the world”. He said the agreement represents the first phase of his “Peace Plan” and would lead to “a strong, durable and everlasting peace”. In an interview with Reuters, Trump added that “the whole world has come together on this one”, and hinted that he would soon declare a permanent ceasefire. He is expected to visit Israel this weekend following an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the Knesset.
According to US and Israeli officials, the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners will take place within 72 hours of the Israeli Cabinet’s approval, which Netanyahu said will occur on Thursday.
Hamas confirmed that it has signed the agreement, declaring the war over and calling on the international community to ensure Israel’s full compliance. The group thanked Trump and the mediating countries for their efforts, while Netanyahu hailed the accord as “a great day for Israel”, expressing gratitude to the IDF and to Trump “for their commitment to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages.”
Agreement details and timeframe
Phase one: withdrawal and hostage release
Israel to partially withdraw troops from Gaza within 24 hours of the government’s approval (Thursday afternoon Israel time).
After withdrawal, Israel will retain control over 53 per cent of the Gaza Strip.
IDF forces to leave Gaza City, which they recently entered during Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.
Hostage and prisoner exchange
A 72-hour period begins once the Israeli withdrawal is completed.
During that window, Hamas must release all remaining hostages “in one fell swoop”, without public ceremonies.
Estimated hostages:
20 alive
28 confirmed dead (Hamas uncertain about the location of nine).
Exchange arrangement:
Hostages released in return for around 1,500 Palestinian prisoners (final list pending).
Israel will not release Nukhba terrorists involved in the 7 October attack or the four “Ass” prisoners Hamas demanded.
Both sides exchanged lists, with minor corrections pending final approval.
Return of bodies: Hamas pledged to return the remains of hostages whose locations are known.
Security and territorial terms
The IDF withdrawal line is amended but consistent with Trump’s map.
Israel retains the right to re-enter Gaza if necessary for security reasons.
The IDF maintains control over 53 per cent of Gaza until all hostages are released.
Humanitarian and logistical provisions
Rafah crossing (Egypt–Gaza border) to be opened in both directions.
600 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza daily.
Netanyahu to convene government to ratify the deal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will convene the government on Thursday to ratify the agreement with Hamas and approve the return of hostages from Gaza. Under Israeli law, any decision involving the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of a hostage exchange must receive formal government approval. If the Cabinet votes in favour, there is a brief period during which petitions may be submitted to the High Court of Justice challenging the releases. Only after these petitions are addressed can the government proceed with implementation.
How soon could hostages be released?
Of the 48 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, 20 are believed to be alive. As part of the agreement, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained by the IDF in Gaza since 7 October.
A senior White House official told CNN that the hostage releases are expected to begin on Monday, though the timeline could move forward. “Once they vote yes, Israel has to withdraw to the agreed line, which should take under 24 hours,” the official said. “Then the 72-hour clock begins, and Hamas will try to go earlier if possible.”
According to Haaretz, Hamas is preparing to release the living hostages as early as Saturday or Sunday, with arrangements made on both sides of the border.
Hamas may not locate all deceased hostages
Israeli officials told CNN that Hamas may be unable to locate and return all 28 deceased Israeli hostages still believed to be in Gaza. Intelligence assessments suggest the group has lost track of several bodies — estimates range from seven to 15 missing.
The Israeli government has reportedly been aware for months that Hamas does not know the whereabouts of all the deceased. While it remains unclear whether this will delay the ceasefire’s implementation, Israel insists that all hostages — alive or dead — must be returned. Analysts say Hamas could use this uncertainty to slow the process, though sources added that Netanyahu is unlikely to use it to stall the deal given pressure from President Trump and other mediators.
IDF welcomes deal, orders forces to prepare for ‘any scenario’
The IDF has welcomed the signing of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release agreement, calling it an important step towards bringing the captives home. In a statement, the IDF said Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir “instructed all forces, both on the front lines and in rear areas, to prepare strong defences and be ready for any scenario”.
According to the statement, deployments will proceed “in accordance with the directives of the political echelon and the stages of the agreement, with responsibility and a focus on the safety of our soldiers”. The military added that Zamir has also “instructed preparations to lead the operation for the hostages’ return”.
Trump set to visit Israel in ‘coming days’
US President Donald Trump said he plans to visit Israel in the coming days and is open to addressing the Knesset, according to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid. In a post on X, Ravid quoted Trump as saying: “I am expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days. This is a great day for Israel and for the world. They want me to speak in the Knesset, and I will definitely do so if they want it that way.”
Ravid added that Trump spoke warmly about his recent call with Netanyahu, saying: “My conversation with Bibi was great. He is happy — and rightfully so. This is a big achievement. The whole world rallied to reach this agreement, including countries that were previously enemies.”
Hostage families welcome Gaza deal but vow to continue fight
The Hostage Families Forum welcomed Trump’s announcement, calling it an important step but warning that their struggle will continue until every hostage is returned. “This agreement represents important and meaningful progress toward bringing everyone home, but our struggle is not over and will not end until the last hostage returns,” the statement said.
The forum expressed “profound gratitude” to Trump and his team for their “leadership and determination that led to this historic breakthrough”, while urging the Israeli government to approve the deal without delay.
“There are 48 hostages held by Hamas. Our moral and national obligation is to bring them all home — both the living and the deceased,” it said.
Australian responses
The Australian Government welcomed the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, calling it “a much-needed step towards peace” after more than two years of conflict. The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister thanked Trump and urged all parties to respect the deal, reiterating Australia’s calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and unrestricted humanitarian aid. Canberra also backed the plan’s commitment to excluding Hamas from any future role in Gaza’s governance, and acknowledged the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye. The opposition also welcomed the move.
The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) described the deal as a moment of “cautious optimism”, hoping it would lead to the return of all 48 remaining hostages and to Hamas’s removal from power.
“When peace comes we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons. Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.”
― Golda Meir, A Land of Our Own: An Oral Autobiography
We might have finally arrived at that point when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us.
Comments1
David Jackson9 October at 04:42 am
“When peace comes we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons. Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.”
― Golda Meir, A Land of Our Own: An Oral Autobiography
We might have finally arrived at that point when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us.