Trump hailed the agreement between Israel and Hamas, which includes the return of all hostages, as a ‘momentous breakthrough.’
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump successfully brokered a cease-fire deal between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, seen by many observers as a groundbreaking chance to end the two-year conflict and establish lasting peace in the Middle East.
Following days of negotiations in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Hamas signed an agreement on Oct. 9 to release all 48 hostages—living and deceased—held in Gaza. It is estimated that about 20 hostages remain alive.
Since it attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas has used Israeli hostages as leverage in negotiations with Israel. In previous peace negotiations, the group had agreed to only partial releases. Its decision to release all hostages now is a significant breakthrough in the peace process, fueling optimism that a lasting peace in the region may finally be possible.
Trump hailed the agreement as a “momentous breakthrough.”
“It’s something that nobody thought was possible, and we’re going to end up having peace in the Middle East,” he said on Oct. 9 during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
He announced that the hostages will be released early next week—likely on Oct. 13 or 14.
“That’ll be a day of joy,” Trump said.
He also said he plans to visit Egypt to attend the official signing of the cease-fire agreement.
Although many are hopeful, skepticism persists among experts about Gaza’s future and the successful implementation of the second phase of Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
World leaders on Oct. 9 issued a wave of statements praising Trump. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters the deal “would not have happened” without the U.S. president’s leadership.
Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Trump’s peace plan could be used as a blueprint to solve other conflicts.
“Trump deserves credit for brokering this Middle East deal, and I think exactly the same approach should be used to create a peace process in Ukraine,” he told Sky News on Oct. 9.
By Emel Akan, Ryan Morgan
