Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan: Ceasefire, Prisoner Exchange, and Humanitarian Relief Begin
Signed on October 9, the deal sets out a detailed, time-bound roadmap to enforce a ceasefire, release hostages, exchange prisoners, and allow full humanitarian aid into Gaza.
By Orlin Milinov
Washington / Jerusalem:
In a major diplomatic development, Israel and Hamas have agreed to begin implementing US President Donald Trump’s “Comprehensive End of Gaza War” peace plan, marking the first significant step toward ending one of the world’s most devastating and prolonged conflicts.
The accord, signed on October 9, outlines a phased, time-bound roadmap designed to enforce a complete ceasefire, enable the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and open Gaza’s borders to large-scale humanitarian assistance under international monitoring.
Immediate Ceasefire and Withdrawal Plan
The peace plan stipulates that a ceasefire will take effect immediately upon formal approval by the Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government. All military operations — including airstrikes and artillery shelling — will be suspended, and Israeli troops will withdraw from designated zones across Gaza within 24 hours.
Following the withdrawal, aerial surveillance will be halted for 72 hours over the vacated regions, allowing humanitarian teams to enter safely.
Simultaneously, full-scale humanitarian access will begin under the terms of both the new accord and the earlier January 19, 2025 Humanitarian Aid Agreement.
This includes the entry of food, medicine, fuel, and relief convoys, coordinated through the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and other international partners.
Israeli forces will retreat to “agreed-upon lines” outlined in a classified annex known as “Map X”, and will not re-enter these areas as long as Hamas abides by the ceasefire terms.
Hostage and Prisoner Release Mechanism
Within 72 hours of Israel’s troop withdrawal, Hamas is required to release all Israeli hostages, including both living captives and recovered remains.
The agreement extends this obligation to all Palestinian factions holding detainees in Gaza.
To ensure transparency, Hamas will also report on the status of any remaining hostages, using a data-sharing mechanism managed by mediators and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
In exchange, Israel will release a proportional number of Palestinian prisoners, with the swap to take place quietly and privately — away from media coverage or political ceremonies — to maintain humanitarian dignity.
An international coordination task force, led by mediators and the ICRC, will manage the logistics and identification of missing persons, hostages, and remains to ensure proper recovery and repatriation.
International Oversight and Long-Term Goals
An international task force — featuring representatives from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and other countries mutually agreed upon by both parties — will supervise all phases of the plan.
The committee will monitor implementation, resolve disputes, and guarantee adherence to each provision of the accord.
Later phases of the peace plan are expected to focus on Hamas’s gradual disarmament, the establishment of a new governance framework in Gaza, and long-term regional security agreements aimed at preventing future conflict.
Background: Years of War and Humanitarian Crisis
The deal follows two years of catastrophic warfare. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on a music festival in southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.
Since then, Gaza has suffered unprecedented destruction. According to health authorities in the enclave, over 67,200 Palestinians have been killed, and most of Gaza’s 365-square-kilometre territory has been reduced to rubble.
Thousands of homes, schools, and hospitals have been destroyed, while famine-like conditions have taken hold due to blockades on food, fuel, and medical supplies.
Although international bodies, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC), have accused Israel of committing war crimes and genocide, Israel has categorically denied all allegations, asserting its right to defend itself against terrorism.
A Step Toward Stability
The Trump administration hailed the agreement as a “decisive step toward lasting peace and the end of senseless bloodshed.”
While some analysts remain cautious, the framework’s structured timeline, accountability mechanisms, and international verification system mark a significant evolution in efforts to stabilize Gaza and the broader Middle East.
If successfully implemented, the plan could lay the foundation for a long-term ceasefire, humanitarian recovery, and renewed diplomacy in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
