Israel–Hamas Ceasefire Deal

● On October 9, 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal that could help stop the fighting in Gaza after two years of war. Both sides hope this will bring some peace and relief to people who have suffered a lot.

● “Gaza war peace plan” was proposed by US President Donald Trump in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Key Provisions of the Deal

● Under the terms of agreement Hamas will release 20 hostages it holds from attacks on October 7, 2023 and Israel will move its soldiers back to a mutually agreed “yellow line” inside Gaza, giving Hamas partial control over about 47% of the territory while Israel keeps control of the remaining 53%.

● Israel will also free about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. One of the most high profile prisoners Marwan Barghouti will not be released as part of the swap, according to the Israeli spokesperson.

● The deal allows the facilitation of humanitarian aid, with an initial allowance of 400 aid trucks entering Gaza daily gradually increasing to meet pressing civilian needs in the territory. The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt will be reopened in both directions, enhancing the flow of food, medical supplies and fuel critical for reconstruction and daily living.

Implication and Challenges

● The deal is a big step toward stopping the violence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a great day for Israel”. Hamas also said the war is over based on this agreement. But some tough problems like who will control Gaza fully and disarmament of armed groups still need to be solved later.

● US President Donald Trump, who created the 20 point peace plan, praised the ceasefire as an important first step toward lasting peace. He also said he is ready to keep working with leaders in the Middle East to make sure the progress continues.

● The deal does not currently include any role for Hamas in Gaza administration. It proposes a temporary government headed by an international committee under U.S. and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

● A small international force including soldiers from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE, will watch over the ceasefire to make sure both sides follow the deal.

History of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

● World War II (1939-1945) fought between the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) and the Allied powers (Britain, United States, USSR, France and China) which resulted in the victory of Allied powers and collapse of Axis powers. The Jewish communities played a significant role with the Allies and gained influence in US politics.

● Jewish community was spread all over the word without any specific homeland. In 1917, during World War I, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, supporting a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.

● Jewish contribution to the Allied victory was recognized and they demanded a homeland in return. The UK, which controlled Palestine at that time, offered the territory to Jews, leading to the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Palestine states: Israel and Palestine. It was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Palestinians and as well as Arab nations.

● Jewish immigrants increased in Israel, which was not accepted by the local Palestinian population. The British Mandate ended in 1948, leaving the Palestinian territory in conflict and Israel declared independence in 1948, neighboring Arab countries launched wars against Israel leading to continuous Arab-Israeli conflicts.

● The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) led by Yasir Arafat, was formed to fight for Palestinian independence and oppose Israeli control.

● Over the years, conflicts such as the Six Day War (1967), Yom Kippur War (1973) and ongoing clashes have shaped the ongoing strife.

● In recent years, tensions escalated with terrorist attacks from groups like Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and Israeli military responses.

● Today, Israel considers all Jews worldwide its citizens while Palestinians seek independence and sovereignty.

● The current Israel-Hamas war began on 7th October 2023 when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, including taking hostages. This attack led to a severe military response from Israel in Gaza, causing widespread casualties, destruction and humanitarian crises. The conflict lasted for two years resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, mostly Palestinians in Gaza.

Note

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that he stopped seven wars around the world including the recent conflict between India and Pakistan. However India has firmly rejected this claim, stating that there was no third party mediation from the US in their ceasefire and the two countries resolved their issues directly. Many critics suggest that Trump’s repeated assertions are driven by his desire to gain recognition such as the Nobel Peace Prize rather than reflecting the actual diplomatic realities.