Trump's Gaza Ceasefire Plan Approved by Israel: A Potential End to Two Years of War:

After nearly two years of devastating conflict, Israel’s Cabinet has approved President Donald Trump’s proposed ceasefire plan for Gaza, which also includes the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. The decision, made early Friday morning (October 10, 2025), marks a major step toward ending a war that has caused immense destruction in the Middle East and left tens of thousands dead. In a brief statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the Cabinet had endorsed the “outline” of the deal. However, it notably avoided addressing the more controversial elements of Trump’s broader plan, such as the future governance of Gaza and the question of Hamas disarmament. The Trump peace plan seeks to end a conflict that began with Hamas’ deadly assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken. Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths and nearly 170,000 injuries, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war has decimated entire neighborhoods, triggered famine, and displaced hundreds of thousands. Hostage Release and Military Withdrawal Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas has committed to releasing all surviving hostages—about 20 of the 48 believed to still be alive—within days. In exchange, Israel will release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and begin withdrawing troops from most parts of Gaza. Five key border crossings, including Rafah between Gaza and Egypt, are expected to reopen soon. Aid agencies have stated they are ready to send over 170,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza once the green light is given. Celebrations broke out in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as families of hostages received the news. In contrast, reactions in Gaza were far more somber, clouded by loss and destruction. “I am happy and unhappy,” said Khan Younis resident Mohammad Al-Farra. “We lost our homes, our families. The places we will return to are uninhabitable.” A Complicated Path Ahead The Gaza ceasefire 2025 plan raises several critical questions. While the deal outlines a phased Israeli military withdrawal, it also calls for Israel to maintain a permanent security presence along its border inside Gaza. Security within Gaza would be handled by an international force, likely made up of troops from Arab and Muslim nations, under U.S. oversight. The plan also envisions an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza—a move that would require extensive internal reforms. For now, there’s no clear timeline for these changes, and the question of Palestinian statehood remains vague. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya confirmed in a televised speech that the war is “over,” and the focus will now shift to self-determination and statehood. “We declare today that we have reached an agreement to end the war and the aggression against our people,” he said. International Involvement To support and monitor the ceasefire, the United States will send around 200 troops to Israel as part of a broader international coalition. Trump, in a video call with hostage families, confirmed that the hostages would be released by Monday. He is also expected to visit the region in the coming days. Meanwhile, world leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reiterated calls for a two-state solution as the only long-term path to peace. Netanyahu’s Political Future The agreement could reshape Israeli politics. Netanyahu, under pressure from far-right coalition partners and facing an ongoing corruption trial, may face political risks if the ceasefire weakens his support base. However, Trump suggested the deal had boosted Netanyahu’s popularity, stating, “He’s much more popular today than he was five days ago.

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