Breakthrough in Gaza: Hamas Accepts Trump’s Ceasefire Proposal, Paving Way for Hostage Release and End to Fighting

In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Hamas has officially accepted U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point ceasefire agreement for Gaza, according to Egyptian sources cited by Al-Arabiya. The signing ceremony is expected to take place within hours, marking a potential end to nearly two years of devastating conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Palestinian media reports confirm that longstanding points of contention between Israel and Hamas— including the terms for hostage exchanges, troop withdrawals, and humanitarian aid—have been successfully resolved through intensive mediation.

President Trump is set to make a formal announcement imminently, with the deal’s first phase possibly kicking off as early as this Saturday. Central to the agreement is the immediate release of the 20 Israeli hostages believed to be alive out of the 48 still held in Gaza, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners currently detained by Israel. The pact also outlines a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the influx of unrestricted humanitarian aid, and the establishment of a transitional technocratic government to oversee the territory, with Hamas relinquishing direct control.

To ensure lasting stability, the agreement includes ironclad guarantees from key international players: the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. These nations have pledged to monitor compliance and prevent any resumption of hostilities, provided both sides adhere to the full 20-point framework, which emphasizes disarmament, reconstruction, and pathways toward Palestinian self-determination.

Scenes of jubilation have erupted in Egypt, where mediators played a pivotal role in bridging divides. Reports describe emotional hugs and celebratory gestures among negotiators, highlighted by a landmark handshake between Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Israel’s retired Major General Nitzan Alon, a key member of the Israeli delegation.

This symbolic moment underscores the hard-won consensus on a ceasefire and hostage release, offering a glimmer of hope amid the ruins of Gaza. As Trump himself noted in a recent statement, “This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.” While challenges remain in implementing the deal’s later phases, this acceptance represents a critical step toward peace.