President Donald Trump has just inked a historic ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a move that could reshape the Middle East after years of bloodshed.
The Daily Mail reported that Trump signed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, following a brutal two-year war sparked by a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
The conflict has left Gaza in ruins, with nearly 2 million residents facing dire conditions, including famine in some areas.
A key pillar of this initial phase was the release of the last 20 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, a deeply emotional moment for families torn apart by the war.
Among them, 27-year-old Noa Argamani reunited with her partner, Avinatan Or, 32, whose separation during the 2023 attack became a haunting symbol of the tragedy.
Israel, in turn, will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, while reopening five border crossings to allow desperately needed food and supplies into Gaza.
Trump arrived hours late to the signing in Egypt, delayed by extended speeches at Israel’s Knesset, where lawmakers chanted his name and donned red hats proclaiming him “The Peace President.”
While there, he met with families of released hostages, offering a personal touch to a diplomatic triumph.
In his Knesset address, Trump expressed optimism that this deal could finally end decades of strife between Israel and Gaza, a hope many share but few dare predict.
World leaders, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the signing, though notably absent were representatives from Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who cited a Jewish holiday as his reason for declining.
Trump didn’t shy away from bold statements, declaring, “This took 3,000 years to get to this point. Can you believe it?” (Donald Trump).
While his flair for hyperbole might raise eyebrows among the perpetually offended, there’s no denying the weight of this moment—centuries of conflict don’t resolve themselves overnight.
The agreement’s first phase also includes a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from major cities, with roughly 200 U.S. troops set to monitor the deal alongside international partners.
Yet, thorny issues like postwar governance, reconstruction, and Israel’s insistence on Hamas disarming remain unresolved, with hints that military action could resume if demands aren’t met.
Trump, ever the optimist, promised a swift move to phase two of the peace plan, while urging Palestinians to reject violence and focus on rebuilding, a pragmatic call that sidesteps the progressive obsession with endless grievance.