In a landmark moment for the Middle East, US President Donald Trump on Monday declared a “historic day” after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire during a global summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The deal — which secured the release of all living Israeli hostages and halted fighting in Gaza — marks what Trump described as the “start of a new chapter” in the war-torn region.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2025
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters the agreement answered the “prayers of millions” and could pave the way for rebuilding Gaza after years of devastating conflict.
“We’re talking about rebuilding Gaza. I’m not talking about single state or double state or two-state. We’re talking about the rebuilding of Gaza,” Trump said.
The ceasefire was signed by Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, laying the groundwork for the transitional authority to govern Gaza. A copy of the document was not made public.
20-Point Peace Proposal Unveiled
Trump’s broader plan includes a “board of peace”, chaired by himself, to oversee the rebuilding process. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been floated as a potential member, alongside other international leaders.
Addressing world leaders at the summit, Trump declared: “We’ve achieved what everybody said was impossible. At long last, we have peace in the Middle East.”
The announcement came just hours after Trump’s visit to Jerusalem, where he addressed Israel’s Knesset and received 22 standing ovations.
Hostages Released, Ceasefire in Effect
As part of the peace deal, Hamas released all 20 living hostages and handed over the remains of four others. Hamas has been given 72 hours to return the bodies of the remaining 28 hostages, though it said recovery may take longer due to unknown burial sites.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum condemned Hamas’s delay, calling it a “blatant breach of the agreement.”
The two-year war in Gaza, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel, has left more than 67,000 Gazans dead, according to Palestinian health officials.
Global Leaders React
The summit drew world leaders including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and France’s Emmanuel Macron. Starmer said the UK is ready to play a key role in monitoring the ceasefire and disarming Hamas.
“We, the United Kingdom in particular, can play a part in monitoring the ceasefire and decommissioning the capability of Hamas,” Starmer said. “It’s really important we keep that focus. We mustn’t have any missteps now.”
Italian Prime Minister Meloni expressed “cautious optimism,” while Macron called the deal “a crucial step toward regional stability.”
The peace agreement is seen as a critical turning point after years of violence between Israel and Hamas. Trump said the deal is “the beginning of a grand concord” and promised to oversee efforts to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems.
Security experts and regional analysts say the success of the deal will depend on enforcement mechanisms, humanitarian aid, and long-term political agreements.
