Trump Hails ‘Historic Dawn’ as Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Begins

Israelis and Palestinians celebrated a moment of rare unity on Monday as a major hostage and prisoner exchange marked the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire deal aimed at ending two years of war in Gaza. Under the agreement, Hamas released all remaining living Israeli hostages, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including hundreds held without charge. Emotional scenes unfolded across Israel and the Palestinian territories as families reunited after years of separation. In Israel, relatives wept and embraced their loved ones, while in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, freed Palestinian detainees were greeted with cheers, flags, and chants of victory.

Moments after the first hostages were reunited with their families, US President Donald Trump landed in Tel Aviv, calling the exchange a “historic dawn in a new Middle East” during a speech to the Israeli Knesset. He then flew to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he joined leaders from over 20 nations, including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the UK, and France, to sign a declaration guaranteeing the ceasefire. The agreement, part of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, aims to transition Gaza into a new phase of governance. Under the proposal, Gaza will be temporarily administered by a transitional Palestinian technocratic committee overseen by a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump himself, before power is eventually transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) following internal reforms. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to play a leading advisory role in this board.

Despite the celebrations, challenges loom large. The second phase of the deal involves difficult negotiations on Israeli troop withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and Gaza’s future political leadership. Hamas has rejected foreign oversight and insists it will not disarm without recognition of a Palestinian state, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed any renewed PA role in Gaza. Trump said negotiations for the next phase were already underway, remarking that “the phases are a little mixed in with each other.” The ceasefire, which began on Friday, allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza for the first time in months. However, Hamas only returned the bodies of four deceased Israeli hostages, saying others could not be located. Israeli authorities are conducting forensic tests to confirm their identities.

The conflict, which began after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has devastated Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 90% of residential buildings damaged or destroyed, figures recognized by the UN as credible. While Trump’s ceasefire deal marks a potential turning point after years of bloodshed, both sides acknowledge that lasting peace remains uncertain—and the world watches to see whether this “historic dawn” will finally bring an end to the region’s long and painful night.