Hamas frees hostages as Gaza peace deal signed
U.S. President and leaders of Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye signed Gaza declaration, pledging to guarantee and support lasting peace deal.
Gaza Peace Declaration Brings Hope as Hamas Frees Hostages, Trump Calls It a “Tremendous Day”
In a historic moment that many hope will mark the beginning of a new era in the Middle East, U.S. cementing a long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza. The move came just hours after Hamas released its last remaining hostages and Israel freed nearly two thousand prisoners in one of the most significant exchanges since the conflict began two years ago.
This is a new beginning.” When asked if the two-year Gaza war was finally over, he responded firmly, “Yes.” His words were met with applause and relief by both leaders and citizens across the region who have long suffered from the devastating toll of the war.
The peace declaration was signed in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, where Trump sat alongside more than two dozen world leaders, diplomats, and peace negotiators. Among them were the presidents and prime ministers of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye — nations that played a crucial role in mediating the agreement between Israel and Hamas. Acting as guarantors, these countries pledged to monitor and uphold the terms of the ceasefire, providing political and logistical support to ensure that the peace deal holds.
“The document is going to spell out rules and regulations and lots of other things,” Trump told reporters before putting pen to paper. “It’s going to hold up. It’s going to hold up,” he repeated emphatically, as cameras flashed and applause filled the room.
For the people of Gaza and Israel, the most immediate and emotional moment came when Hamas released the last 20 surviving hostages it had held since the war began in 2023. Many of them were frail, pale, and visibly shaken after enduring two harrowing years in captivity. They were flown to Israel, where they were greeted by family members in tearful reunions that quickly became symbols of hope broadcast around the world.
In exchange, Israel released 1,968 prisoners, most of whom were Palestinians held in its jails. The group included around 250 security detainees — some convicted of attacks that had taken Israeli lives — as well as about 1,700 Palestinians detained during Israel’s military operations in Gaza over the past two years.
While the prisoner exchange sparked mixed emotions among Israelis, many viewed it as a necessary step toward ending the bloodshed. “Peace always comes with difficult decisions,” said an Israeli official familiar with the negotiations. “But if it brings our people home and stops the killing, then it’s worth every compromise.”
In Gaza, celebrations broke out in the streets as families welcomed home prisoners who had spent years — in some cases decades — behind bars. Fireworks lit up the night sky, and people waved Palestinian flags, singing songs of freedom and unity. Yet amid the celebrations, there was also quiet reflection and mourning for the more than 35,000 people who lost their lives during the war.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, whose country hosted the peace summit, praised the agreement as “a turning point” in the region’s history. “This is the beginning of a process that will rebuild lives, restore trust, and hopefully, restore peace.”
The declaration — informally being called the “Gaza Peace Accords” — reportedly includes provisions for rebuilding Gaza’s shattered infrastructure, reopening border crossings, and creating a joint monitoring committee made up of international representatives. The agreement also emphasizes the need for humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and renewed diplomatic dialogue to address long-term political issues.
For Trump, the peace deal marks one of the most significant diplomatic achievements of his second term. “It’s not just about ending a war,” he said during a press conference following the signing. “It’s about creating a future — one where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in safety, dignity, and peace.”
Across the world, reactions poured in from global leaders, many of whom expressed cautious optimism. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the deal “a vital step forward,” urging all sides to remain committed to nonviolence. “Peace is fragile,” he warned, “but with determination, it can endure.”
For now, the guns have fallen silent, the skies over Gaza are calm, and families on both sides of the border are finally exhaling after years of fear and loss. Whether this fragile peace will last remains to be seen, but for the first time in years, hope has returned to the war-torn land.
As one released hostage said quietly while embracing her family, “We thought we’d never see this day. But here we are — free, alive, and praying that it truly is a new beginning.”