World leaders sign Gaza ceasefire after hostage release; Donald Trump hails ‘peace’

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, and leaders from various nations signed an agreement this Monday (13) in Egypt to formalize the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting, a peace summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, seeks to consolidate the truce agreed upon between negotiators from Israel and the Hamas group. The international pact was signed hours after the release of the last 20 live Israeli hostages held by Hamas, a crucial milestone for the implementation of the peace plan.

The absence of the main parties involved in the conflict, Israel and Hamas, marked the event, raising questions about the actual scope of the document signed by the mediators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined the invitation to the summit, citing a Jewish holiday as justification.

Ceremony and global mediators

The signing of the ceasefire agreement took place during the summit in Egypt and saw the participation of approximately 20 heads of state. U.S. President Donald Trump was present alongside the leaders of nations that acted as mediators in the negotiations.

The signatories included Donald Trump, the President of Egypt, Abdul al-Sisi, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. These nations actively mediated the conversations that culminated in the first phase of the truce agreement.

Qatar, Egypt, the United States, and Turkey were essential in the indirect dialogue between Israel and Hamas, which allowed for progress in the negotiations to end hostilities and exchange prisoners. The formalization of the ceasefire by the international community now aims to ensure support and monitoring for the subsequent stages.

End of captivity and prisoner exchange

The release of the last 20 live Israeli hostages by Hamas occurred early Monday morning, after more than two years in captivity since the attack of October 7, 2023. The hostage rescue operation was completed successfully and represents the fulfillment of one of the conditions of the initial phase of the agreement.

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In exchange for the hostages’ release, the Israeli government began the process of freeing approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The list of those released includes individuals sentenced to life imprisonment, according to the negotiated exchange model.

The Palestinian prisoners were transported in Red Cross buses, being sent to the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, or other countries. The conclusion of the exchange symbolizes the implementation of the first phase of the plan and sets the foundation for future discussions on regional stability.

• 20 live Israeli hostages were released by Hamas.
• Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are being released by Israel.
• The prisoner exchange is a fundamental part of the ceasefire agreement.

Speech and the future of gaza

In a speech before the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) before heading to Egypt, Donald Trump celebrated the diplomatic breakthrough and declared the end of an “era of terror” in the Middle East. The American president affirmed that the peace achieved was considered impossible by many.

“This is a historic day for the Middle East and an incredible triumph for Israel and for the world,” Trump stated. The U.S. president emphasized the focus on the next phase, which includes the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the devastation caused by the war.

Next steps and challenges

The main objective of the peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh is to discuss the second stage of Donald Trump’s plan, which provides elements for a lasting peace in the region. This phase includes establishing a council to supervise the Gaza Strip in the post-war period, although the details of its operation have not yet been fully defined.

One of the most delicate points, which generates strong disagreement between the parties involved, is the disarmament of the Hamas group. The terrorist group has signaled resistance to the complete surrender of its weapons, which represents a significant obstacle to the consolidation of a long-term political solution. The international community now seeks to guarantee humanitarian support and immediate stability for the Palestinian population, which is suffering from the humanitarian crisis and the destruction of local infrastructure.