Israel and Hamas Embrace First Phase of Trump's Gaza Peace Plan: Path to Ceasefire, Hostage Freedom, and Regional Stability

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On October 9, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of his proposed peace plan for Gaza, marking a potential breakthrough after two years of devastating conflict. Israel's Cabinet approved the deal early on October 10, enabling an immediate ceasefire, the release of remaining hostages, and a phased troop withdrawal, with international monitoring including US troops. This development, brokered through indirect talks in Egypt, has been hailed globally, including by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a step toward ending the war that began on October 7, 2023, and restoring humanitarian access to Gaza.

Key Points

1. US President Donald Trump announced on October 9, 2025, that Israel and Hamas had signed off on the first phase of his 20-point peace plan, aimed at pausing fighting and releasing hostages.
2. Israel's Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, approved the deal's outline on October 10, 2025, with the ceasefire set to begin within 24 hours and hostage releases within 72 hours.
3. Hamas is expected to release all living hostages (estimated at 20 out of 48 remaining) in the coming days, while Israel will free about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
4. Israeli forces will undertake a phased withdrawal from Gaza, starting with positions in Khan Younis, Nusseirat, and Gaza City, allowing residents to return to affected areas.
5. The US will deploy around 200 troops to Israel to monitor the ceasefire as part of a multinational team, including forces from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, but no US troops will enter Gaza.
6. Five border crossings, including Rafah with Egypt, will reopen to facilitate humanitarian aid, with 170,000 metric tons ready for delivery to address the crisis in Gaza.
7. The agreement was brokered by Trump's envoys, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, following months of indirect negotiations amid regional tensions involving Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon.
8. Indian PM Narendra Modi welcomed the deal, speaking to Trump and Netanyahu, and emphasized its importance for lasting peace and humanitarian relief in the region.
9. The war, triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 in Israel, has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
10. Future phases remain unclear, including Gaza's governance, Hamas disarmament, and steps toward Palestinian statehood, with Netanyahu rejecting a full state.

Explained

What Is the Trump Peace Plan for Gaza and How Did It Lead to This Agreement?

Basic Overview of the Plan: The Trump peace plan, unveiled as a 20-point proposal in September 2025, is a US-mediated framework to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, building on Trump's earlier 2020 "Peace to Prosperity" vision but adapted to current realities; it focuses on immediate ceasefire, hostage exchanges, troop withdrawals, and long-term reconstruction, emphasizing security guarantees for Israel and humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

Negotiation Process: Indirect talks in Egypt, facilitated by US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, overcame hurdles like a September Israeli airstrike in Doha that strained relations with Qatar; key breakthroughs included Netanyahu's apology to Qatari leaders and assurances to Hamas that the war would end, leading to conditional agreement on the first phase.

Significance in Conflict Resolution: This plan draws from international relations theory of "ripeness" by William Zartman, where conflicts become solvable when parties see stalemate as painful and alternatives as viable; here, Hamas viewed hostages as liabilities amid military pressure, while Israel faced global isolation, making compromise feasible.

Global Involvement: The US leads with monitoring troops, joined by Arab nations like Egypt and Qatar, reflecting "multilateral diplomacy" to share burdens and ensure compliance, similar to past UN-led efforts in the region.

What Is the Background of the Israel-Hamas Conflict?

Origins of the Conflict: The Israel-Palestine dispute dates back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War following Israel's creation, with roots in British Mandate (1917-1948) and competing national claims; Hamas, founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, emerged as an Islamist resistance group against Israeli occupation, controlling Gaza since 2007 after elections and a civil war with Fatah.

Key Escalations: Multiple wars occurred in 2008-09, 2012, 2014, and 2021, often triggered by rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli blockades; the current war began with Hamas's October 7, 2023, assault, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages, leading to Israel's invasion that displaced 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people.

Humanitarian Impact: Over 67,000 Palestinians killed, per Gaza Health Ministry, with widespread destruction of infrastructure, hospitals, and schools; the conflict spread regionally, involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen, drawing in Iran and testing US alliances.

Peace Efforts History: Past attempts like the Oslo Accords (1993) created the Palestinian Authority but failed due to settlements and violence; Trump's 2020 plan favored Israel with annexations but was rejected by Palestinians, setting the stage for this revised approach.

What Are the Key Details of the First Phase Agreement?

Ceasefire and Withdrawals: Hostilities suspend within 24 hours, with Israeli forces retreating from key Gaza areas like eastern Khan Younis and coastal Gaza City roads, allowing civilian returns amid ongoing sporadic gunfire.

Hostage and Prisoner Exchanges: Hamas to free all living hostages (20-26 presumed alive) soon, with bodies of deceased later; Israel releases 2,000 Palestinians, including women and children, based on negotiated lists with a 24-hour objection period for victims' families.

Aid and Border Openings: Reopening of five crossings, including Rafah, to deliver 170,000 tons of aid, addressing famine risks where over 500,000 face starvation, per UN reports.

Monitoring Mechanism: US-led international force (200 US troops in Israel) coordinates security and logistics, preventing rearmament while ensuring aid flow, based on "peacekeeping" theory to build trust through neutral oversight.

What Role Does the US Play in This Deal and Why Is It Significant?

US Mediation: Trump positioned the deal as a "personal vindication," planning a Middle East visit and Knesset address; it aligns with US foreign policy of supporting Israel while seeking Arab alliances against Iran, per "realism" theory prioritizing power balances.

Troop Deployment: 200 US personnel from Central Command establish a coordination center, joined by regional allies, marking limited US re-engagement post-2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.

Broader Implications: Boosts Trump's legacy, potentially aiding Nobel Peace Prize aspirations, though experts note it's not a full peace; for India, it stabilizes energy routes and supports Modi's balanced West Asia policy.

Challenges Ahead: Unresolved issues like Gaza governance (possible reformed Palestinian Authority role) and Hamas's future could derail phases, as per "two-level game" theory where domestic politics influence international deals.

What Are the Reactions and Potential Challenges to the Agreement?

Global and Indian Responses: PM Modi hailed it as "historic," emphasizing peace and aid; Germany pledged €29 million in aid; world leaders like Obama praised it, though Trump Jr. criticized past administrations.

Domestic Reactions: Israelis rejoiced but far-right ministers protested; Palestinians celebrated but demanded full statehood; Hamas pledged self-determination.

Potential Risks: Spoilers like Iranian proxies or internal dissent; environmental/humanitarian recovery from war's toll, including radiation from strikes and rebuilding costs estimated at $50 billion.

Long-Term Theory: Success depends on "conflict transformation" by addressing root causes like occupation and inequality, beyond mere cessation of violence.

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