U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the first phase of the Gaza peace agreement could be completed this week, marking what he calls a “major breakthrough” in efforts to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking on Sunday, Trump said negotiations were moving “faster than anyone expected” and that teams from both sides, along with international mediators, were meeting in Cairo, Egypt, to finalize the terms. “I’m told the first phase should be completed this week, and I am urging everyone to move fast,” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
Phase One: Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange
According to officials familiar with the talks, the first stage of the proposed deal includes a temporary ceasefire, a hostage-for-prisoner exchange, and a partial Israeli military withdrawal from northern Gaza. In exchange, Hamas is expected to release around 48 hostages, while Israel would free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Negotiators are also discussing the framework for a U.S.-led transitional administration to oversee Gaza after the ceasefire takes hold. This phase would pave the way for longer-term political talks about governance, reconstruction, and humanitarian aid delivery.
However, Hamas has not publicly agreed to all the conditions. While the group supports a humanitarian truce, it remains reluctant to hand over full administrative control of Gaza without guarantees regarding future sovereignty.
Violence Persists Despite Progress
Despite signs of diplomatic progress, Israeli airstrikes continued over the weekend, reportedly killing at least 24 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli officials have maintained that operations will continue until all security threats are neutralized.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the difficulty of implementing a truce amid active combat. “We are seeing progress on paper, but achieving peace on the ground remains the real challenge,” he said.
Political Stakes for Trump and Netanyahu
Trump’s announcement comes at a politically charged moment. He has framed the deal as evidence of his ability to broker peace through “strength and speed,” even as critics argue that the timeline is overly ambitious.
For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the plan could prove divisive. Right-wing factions in his coalition oppose any troop withdrawal or recognition of Hamas as a negotiating partner. Analysts warn that internal political resistance may delay implementation or trigger a domestic backlash.
Meanwhile, regional actors—including Egypt and Qatar—are working to keep both parties at the table. “This week will be decisive,” said one Egyptian diplomat. “If the first phase succeeds, it could open the door to a full ceasefire. If it fails, the war will intensify again.”
What Comes Next
If finalized, the Gaza peace framework would represent the first major diplomatic success in months of fighting that have left thousands dead and millions displaced. But even Trump’s allies admit the road ahead will be fraught with logistical, political, and humanitarian obstacles.
As Trump put it, “Time is running out. We can either make peace now—or face another round of unimaginable bloodshed.”
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