The latest ceasefire plan in Gaza, brokered by the United States, represents the most significant step toward peace in the territory in years. Accepted by both Israel and Hamas, it is one of the rare agreements to draw the two sides apart from a war that had seemed unending for over two years. Announced on 29 September by the US President Donald Trump, and accepted by both Israel and Hamas on 09 October, the plan seeks not only to end active hostilities but also to establish a framework for long-term stability and reconstruction in Gaza.
Ceasefire Plan Details
The 20-point proposal by US President Trump lays out a phased roadmap to end the war. While the details of later stages remain unclear, the first phase sets immediate priorities: a complete halt to fighting, the release of all Israeli hostages, and a coordinated prisoner exchange. It also requires a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, the opening of large-scale humanitarian access, and the creation of a multinational task force to oversee compliance. Within 72 hours of the withdrawal, Hamas must release all surviving Israeli hostages along with the remains of those killed in captivity.
In return, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life terms. Humanitarian deliveries, supervised by the United States, and regional powers are to resume at full scale. The plan also envisions Gaza’s gradual demilitarization and interim governance by Palestinian technocrats under international supervision, creating the conditions for eventual self-rule and a potential pathway toward Palestinian statehood.
The ceasefire, which came into effect early Friday, 10 October after Israeli cabinet approval, requires Hamas to release all hostages by noon on Monday (13 October), including around 20 believed to be alive and up to 28 remains. In return, Israel must release about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.
Israeli forces confirmed a partial withdrawal to what US officials described as the “yellow line”, a demarcation covering about 53 percent of Gaza shown in a White House map last week. The Israeli military stated it still occupies roughly half of the Strip but has repositioned troops according to the agreed terms. US special envoy Steve Witkoff said the withdrawal marked the completion of the first phase, verified by US Central Command.
Image Source : BBC
Under the agreement, humanitarian convoys are to enter Gaza without restrictions, bringing urgently needed aid to a population repeatedly displaced by the two-year conflict. Around 600 aid trucks are expected to cross daily, though implementation remains uneven. UN-backed experts declared a famine in parts of Gaza in August, warning that over 500,000 people face catastrophic conditions marked by starvation and destitution. Israel has repeatedly denied the existence of famine.
Experts urge caution regarding the durability of the ceasefire. According to Natan Sachs of the Brookings Institution, “This agreement offers a pause, not necessarily peace”. He notes that many in the Israeli government remain deeply opposed, and Hamas still seeks to reassert its power on the ground. The risk of renewed violence, if demilitarization or political transition falters, is significant.
Later stages of the plan envision Gaza’s gradual demilitarization and interim governance by Palestinian technocrats under international supervision, potentially laying the groundwork for future statehood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the government was fulfilling its promise to bring back all hostages and that Hamas would eventually be disarmed and Gaza fully demilitarized. Hamas, however, has made no pledge to disarm and rejected any form of foreign guardianship, insisting that Gaza’s governance is solely a Palestinian matter.
Mouin Rabbani, a former UN official, highlights the fragility of the moment. “Unless international actors remain seriously engaged and both parties see tangible benefits, the truce could unravel. Much hinges on whether Hamas can accept marginalization and whether Israel faces enough external and internal pressure to keep the ceasefire alive”.
While the first phase of the ceasefire has taken effect, the path ahead remains uncertain. The success of this agreement depends on the full exchange of hostages, progress toward demilitarization, and the success of the reconstruction process. Political divisions within Israel, Hamas’s position on disarmament, and the sustained engagement of international actors will ultimately determine whether this momentary pause can evolve into lasting peace.