Historic Ceasefire Agreement Reached After Two Years of Conflict
After nearly two years of devastating warfare that claimed tens of thousands of lives, a historic ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas officially took effect at 12:00 local time (11:00 CET) on October 10, 2025. The breakthrough came following intensive U.S.-brokered negotiations and represents the most significant diplomatic development since the conflict began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
The Israeli military confirmed the implementation, stating: 'Since 12:00, our troops have positioned themselves on the updated deployment lines, in accordance with the main points of the ceasefire and the agreement regarding the return of hostages.' This marks the beginning of a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu Declares Victory, Thanks Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a globally televised speech, declaring the developments a victory for Israel. 'This withdrawal and the release of all hostages were not previously possible because Hamas only now has the knife to its throat,' Netanyahu stated, referring to the military pressure that preceded the agreement.
The Israeli leader expressed gratitude to military personnel 'who have protected our country' and specifically thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his leadership role. 'President Trump showed leadership and demonstrated his greatness,' Netanyahu said, also acknowledging American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for their contributions to the diplomatic breakthrough.
Hostage Release and Ongoing Military Presence
According to the agreement terms, Hamas is expected to release all remaining Israeli hostages within 72 hours. Approximately twenty hostages are believed to still be alive, though the exact numbers and timing of releases remain unclear. Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli hostages still held by Hamas would return in the coming days.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces will maintain a presence in Gaza. Netanyahu emphasized that troops would not be completely withdrawn, even in the second phase of the agreement, to maintain pressure on Hamas to disarm. Currently, Israeli forces remain deployed in 53 percent of the Palestinian territory, though further withdrawals are planned for later stages.
Mass Return of Displaced Palestinians
Immediately following the ceasefire announcement, a massive movement of Palestinians began returning to their homes in northern Gaza. Footage shows long lines of people traveling along the coastal road from southern areas toward Gaza City. The coastal road, which had been closed by Israeli forces earlier this month, has now reopened, facilitating the return of displaced families.
Humanitarian organizations are preparing to enter Gaza with aid supplies. Israel is expected to initially permit 400 to 600 trucks carrying humanitarian goods to enter the territory, addressing urgent needs for food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
Outstanding Issues and Future Challenges
Despite the ceasefire, significant disagreements remain between Israel and Hamas. Israel continues to demand the complete disarmament of Hamas, which the movement has rejected. The future governance of the Gaza Strip also remains unresolved, with both parties yet to reach consensus on post-conflict arrangements.
The ceasefire follows previous failed attempts, including one in January 2025 that collapsed in March. The current agreement represents mutual exhaustion after years of brutal warfare that created a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with healthcare systems on the brink of collapse and widespread destruction of infrastructure.
As Palestinians begin the difficult process of returning home and rebuilding their lives, international observers emphasize that sustained diplomatic efforts will be necessary to address the underlying issues that have fueled the conflict for decades.