Hamas and Israel Ceasefire Agreement

What do we know?

United States President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a peace framework that aims at a Gaza ceasefire and the release of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners.

The announcement follows from Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war on Gaza, which he announced last week, and which Israel, Hamas and most of the world broadly welcomed.

The deal has raised hopes of ending the war, but important details are still unclear.

Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara said “some serious disagreements” remain between Israel and Hamas, and crucial details are yet to be hammered out. They include the timing and the extent of an Israeli withdrawal, the makeup of the post-war administration for the Gaza Strip and the fate of Hamas.

Here’s what’s reportedly on the table:

Hostage exchange

Hamas will release 250 Israeli hostages in exchange for 1 700 Palestinian hostages. Israel reportedly rejected releasing Marwan Barghouti, a key political figure seen by many Palestinians as “their Nelson Mandela.”

Troop withdrawal

Israel will withdraw from Gaza and fall back to a new “yellow line,” reflecting both Israeli security demands and Hamas’ conditions.

Aid access

Israel will allow 400 aid trucks per day into Gaza for the first five days - the largest humanitarian access since the 2023 siege began.

UN Support

UN Secretary-General António Guterres says the UN will help implement and monitor the ceasefire and push for long-term political progress, including a two-state solution.

What is expected next?

• A White House official confirmed that Israel’s cabinet will vote on the peace plan today.
• If the proposal is approved, Israel will have 24 hours to begin withdrawing its troops, triggering a 72-hour window for Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
• The US expects 20 hostages to be freed starting Monday, though Hamas could act sooner. Trump said he anticipates the releases will “probably begin on Monday.”
• Trump also indicated he may travel to the Middle East later this week, aiming to arrive as the deal is finalised and the hostage releases begin.

The reality check

We’re hopeful this deal will hold - that the bombs will stay silent long enough for aid to reach Gaza, for families to breathe, and for the world to remember its promises.

Let’s be clear:

• This agreement does not recognise Palestinian statehood or erase decades of apartheid.
• It does not bring accountability for war crimes or the humanitarian catastrophe.
• It cannot restore the lives lost, or the children buried beneath rubble.
• It doesn’t erase displacement, hunger, or grief.

It’s a moment of pause, not peace - and while the world may call it progress, for those in Gaza, it’s simply a chance to survive another day.