In a historic breakthrough, the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey have officially signed a declaration to guarantee a ceasefire in Gaza—marking the potential end of two years of devastating conflict. The landmark signing took place at a summit in Egypt, with U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi co-chairing the event.
Trump hailed the occasion as a “tremendous day for the Middle East,” while Sisi described it as the opening of “a new era of peace and stability.” The Gaza agreement aims to restore calm to a region long torn apart by war, pain, and uncertainty.
Earlier in the day, President Trump addressed Israel’s parliament, celebrating the safe return of 20 surviving hostages who had been held in Gaza. As part of the ceasefire arrangement, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, a move Hamas described as “a national milestone in the Palestinian struggle.”
According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 67,000 lives were lost in the war—figures the United Nations deems credible. The agreement brings long-awaited relief to families on both sides who have endured immense loss and trauma.
The Gaza Summit: A Turning Point
World leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh to formalize the ceasefire declaration, signaling what many hope will be a lasting peace. Trump declared, “Together we have achieved what everybody said was impossible.” President Sisi emphasized that this milestone “sets the stage for a two-state solution” and announced plans for an international conference to rebuild Gaza.
Though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend due to a scheduling conflict, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was present. Hamas, however, was not represented at the summit.
The Hostage-Prisoner Exchange
As part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas released 20 hostages who had been held since the onset of the war, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The emotional exchange was seen as a powerful gesture of reconciliation. Hamas described the moment as “a bright national milestone in our ongoing struggle for freedom.”
Under the agreement, Hamas will also return the bodies of 27 deceased hostages and a soldier who fell in 2014. The Red Cross confirmed that several of these remains have already been transferred to Israel.
Trump’s Message of Peace
During his address to the Knesset, Trump called the release of hostages “an incredible triumph for Israel and the world.” He expressed gratitude to Arab and Muslim mediators for their efforts and urged Palestinians to “turn forever from the path of terror.”
“For so many families across this land, it has been years since you’ve known a single day of true peace,” Trump said. “Not only for Israelis, but also for Palestinians and for many others, the long and painful nightmare is finally over.”
The Road Ahead
While the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, challenges remain. A Hamas official told AFP the group would not participate in governing post-war Gaza, though it remains “a fundamental part of the Palestinian fabric.” Disarmament, they said, is “out of the question.”
For the first time in years, however, both sides share a common word—hope. Hope that children will no longer fall asleep to the sound of sirens. Hope that rebuilding can begin, and lives can be restored. Hope that peace, after all the suffering, might finally have a chance to grow in Gaza.
