Hamas has released the last remaining Israeli hostages under a Gaza ceasefire agreement, marking what US President Donald Trump declared as the end of the two-year Gaza war that destabilized the Middle East. In return, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, prompting emotional scenes on both sides — celebrations in Tel Aviv and tearful reunions in Gaza.
Trump, calling it a “historic day for peace,” addressed the Israeli parliament, saying the guns had fallen silent and the region could now “breathe again.” Later, he joined leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey at a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where discussions focused on Gaza’s reconstruction, governance, and long-term stability. While Israel and Hamas were not represented, Trump signed a joint declaration pledging to uphold and expand the truce, calling it “the greatest deal of them all.”
The ceasefire follows the release of 20 Israeli hostages, the last survivors of those captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault, which sparked the devastating war. Israel’s recent military withdrawal ended a deadly Gaza offensive that, according to local authorities, killed over 68,000 Palestinians and left vast destruction.
Despite the breakthrough, major challenges remain. The recovery of 26 missing hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and Gaza’s future governance are unresolved. UN officials warned of looming famine and urged urgent aid deliveries to the devastated enclave.
Trump suggested Hamas would temporarily maintain order in Gaza under US-approved supervision, while expressing optimism about future peace, even hinting at a possible Israel-Iran agreement. Families of released hostages and freed Palestinian prisoners celebrated with tears, waving flags and chanting for peace — scenes that symbolized both relief and the immense task ahead in rebuilding Gaza and sustaining the fragile truce.
