Trump Declares End to Gaza War and Sets Timeline for Hostage Release
In a high-stakes address, US President Donald Trump asserted that the two-year Gaza conflict has effectively ended, announcing a ceasefire framework and a plan for the release of remaining hostages. He said the initial phase would see hostages released on Monday or Tuesday, a development he described as a “momentous breakthrough” in the Middle East.
“Last night, we reached a momentous breakthrough in the Middle East, something that people said was never going to be done. We ended the war in Gaza, and I think it’s going to be a lasting peace, hopefully, an everlasting peace,” Trump stated. He added that the hostage releases were “complicated,” but that progress was being made toward their freedom.
The president indicated plans to travel to Egypt for an official signing ceremony to formalize the agreement, noting that there had already been an initial signing representing him, with a larger, official signing to follow in Egypt. The timing and exact schedule were being worked out, he said, emphasizing that the signing would occur in a country pivotal to the broader peace process.
The timing of the announcement comes as the Nobel Peace Prize season approaches, with Trump framing the situation as a key milestone in a series of foreign-policy “wars” the administration says have been concluded or significantly altered. The White House has framed the deal as part of a larger 20-point peace plan that seeks to reshape Gaza’s post-conflict administration and security environment.
Hamas Rejects the Board of Peace Concept
Not all parties have welcomed the administration’s blueprint. A senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Araby Television Network that Hamas rejected Trump’s proposal for a temporary “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s administration, a board to be chaired by the US president. Hamdan argued that no Palestinian faction, including the Palestinian Authority, would accept such governance, signaling potential friction ahead if the plan were to be pursued further.
Hamas’s stance underscores the enduring political rifts that can complicate ceasefires and post-conflict governance in Gaza. While the ceasefire arrangement includes hostage exchanges for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, the broader framework hinges on how post-war Gaza would be administered and under what authority—issues that remain contentious across Palestinian factions and regional actors.
Context and Implications for the Region
Proponents of the agreement say the ceasefire could reduce violence, provide humanitarian relief, and create space for political dialogue. Critics, however, warn that an agreement of this scale requires sustained international oversight, credible enforcement mechanisms, and ongoing negotiations with multiple stakeholders. The proposal for a post-war transitional authority, led in part by the United States, has drawn particular scrutiny over questions of sovereignty, legitimacy, and long-term governance in Gaza.
Israel has supported the ceasefire in principle, citing security concerns and the need to manage the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The broader implications for regional diplomacy, including relations with Egypt and other neighboring countries, will depend on the concrete steps the parties take in the coming days and weeks.
What Comes Next
As the date for the hostage releases and the signing ceremony approaches, international observers will be closely watching. The success or failure of the plan could hinge on how negotiations are carried out on the ground, the reliability of the ceasefire, and the ability of the involved parties to maintain trust across divided factions.
🇺🇸 🇪🇬 🇵🇸 The region remains deeply interconnected, with any deal in Gaza resonating beyond the immediate conflict to broader peace efforts in the Middle East.
