A dramatic two-year conflict in the Gaza Strip officially concluded on October 13, marked by a pivotal announcement from Israeli and U.S. authorities. The cessation of hostilities coincided with the long-awaited release of the final 20 living Israeli hostages, who had been held captive by the Hamas militant group since the devastating attacks of October 7, 2023. This critical moment was underscored by a high-profile visit from U.S. President Donald Trump to the Holy Land, where he addressed the Israeli Knesset, declaring the agreement between Israel and Hamas as the ushering in of an “historic dawn for the entire Middle East.”
The return of the remaining hostages unfolded on this momentous day, bringing an end to a harrowing chapter for their families and the nation. Hamas’s armed wing facilitated the transfer of the 20 survivors to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross across two distinct locations within Gaza, delivering them in groups of seven and thirteen. Reports indicated that all individuals were in satisfactory physical condition and capable of independent movement. Following their handover to Israeli military personnel, they were swiftly transported to Israeli territory for essential medical assessments and emotional reunions with their loved ones.
Addressing the Knesset, President Trump not only heralded the end of the war but also proclaimed it the “end of an era of terror.” His extended speech painted a vision of a prosperous future for the region. In a direct challenge, he called upon the leadership of Iran: “Nothing would benefit this part of the world more than for Iran’s leaders to abandon the terrorism that threatens their neighbors, stop funding proxy militants, and finally recognize Israel’s right to exist… To Iran – and this is not said out of weakness, this is not weakness, but I’m going to say this – we will be ready when you are ready, and that will be the best decision Iran has ever made.”
Adding an unexpected layer of political drama, President Trump publicly urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who was seated beside him, to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu currently faces three corruption indictments, including allegations of receiving illicit gifts, bribing news outlets for favorable coverage, and lobbying for personal friends. “I have an idea, Mr. President, why don’t you pardon him?” Trump stated, emphasizing, “Pardon him. Like him or not, this is one of the greatest wartime presidents. And cigars and champagne – who cares about that?”
For his part, Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly acknowledged the war’s conclusion during his own address to the Knesset. “Now is the time for peace, both within Israel and beyond its borders,” he affirmed, expressing eagerness to advance the path laid out by the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states. “No one desires peace more than the State of Israel.” A significant portion of Netanyahu’s speech was dedicated to expressing gratitude to President Trump, crediting U.S. diplomatic mediation and the military pressure exerted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for the successful return of the hostages and the cessation of conflict in Gaza.
However, the jubilation surrounding the living hostages’ release was tempered by a stark reminder of the conflict’s lingering tragedies. The Hostages Families Forum, a leading advocacy group, revealed that on the same day, Hamas had only returned four bodies of those who perished in captivity, rather than all those deceased. The organization issued a strong statement: “We expect the Israeli government and mediators to take immediate action to rectify this egregious injustice. The families of the deceased hostages are enduring particularly difficult days, filled with profound grief. We will not abandon any hostage. Mediators must ensure the terms of the agreement are fulfilled and guarantee that Hamas pays the price for this violation.” This highlighted the incomplete nature of the deal’s first phase and the complex emotional landscape surrounding the peace.
As these developments unfolded, a crucial “peace summit” of Arab mediators convened in Egypt on October 13. President Trump flew directly to Cairo after his visit to Israel to officially cement the Gaza agreement. Though the ceremony, which included representatives from over 20 nations, was designed to mark the end of the war, neither Israel nor Hamas sent delegates. In a last-minute gesture, the U.S. President requested Cairo to extend a special invitation to Prime Minister Netanyahu, but the Israeli leader declined, citing approaching religious holidays.
Deeper geopolitical tensions, however, were believed to be the true reason for his absence. Relations between Israel and Egypt have reportedly cooled significantly since the start of the Gaza conflict. Turkish media outlets indicated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who frequently positions himself as a champion of Palestinian interests, was prepared to boycott the summit if Netanyahu attended. This underscored the fragile regional dynamics at play, even amidst calls for peace.
Beyond the immediate cessation of hostilities, the summit also served as a platform for the U.S. to stress the urgent need for international funding to reconstruct Gaza’s devastated infrastructure. “We’re going to do something very popular, everyone wants to be involved in this – it’s called the Council of Peace,” Trump declared in the Knesset, referring to a proposed international platform for Gaza’s rebuilding. He expressed gratitude to “Arab and Islamic nations for their commitment to assist in safe reconstruction efforts in and beyond the Gaza Strip. Many Arab nations, very wealthy nations, have expressed willingness to invest incredible sums in rebuilding Gaza.”
Despite these diplomatic overtures, significant questions loom over the long-term enforceability of the Israel-Hamas agreement. Reports from Israeli sources suggest deep skepticism within the Jewish state’s leadership regarding Hamas’s willingness to dismantle its military capabilities. Indeed, these days have reportedly seen Palestinian factions attempting to reassert control over key areas in Gaza and confront local clans perceived as having collaborated with Israel. This raises serious concerns about the potential for renewed conflict initiated by the Israeli military, should Hamas fail to fully adhere to the terms.
According to Axios, it was the United States that provided crucial guarantees to Hamas that the war would not resume. Sources indicate that a week prior, in Egypt, special U.S. envoy Stephen Whitcoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner met directly with Hamas negotiators, led by emissary Khalil al-Hayya. Whitcoff reportedly sought to convince Hamas officials that Israeli hostages had become “more of a burden than a valuable asset” for Gaza. “President Trump wants you to be treated fairly,” Whitcoff is quoted as telling the militants, affirming that if the agreements were honored, Israel would not be permitted to restart hostilities. This behind-the-scenes diplomacy highlights the intricate, often opaque, efforts required to broker and sustain such a delicate peace.