Today, Israel and Hamas formally agreed to a ceasefire deal proposed by President Donald Trump alongside negotiation assistance from Egypt and Qatar. Two laborious years of incessant war have been spent between Israel and Hamas. Read on to learn how the deal was brokered and what can be expected from the process for long-awaited peace.

THE DEAL

First and foremost, it’s important to recognize that the agreement between Israel and Hamas is an agreement for a ceasefire that is intended to later bring an ultimate peace deal. This is not the final peace deal.

This first phase includes a large hostage release and the withdraw of Israeli troops from Gaza. AP News reports, “Hamas said it had agreed to a deal that will lead to the end of the war in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the entry of aid into Gaza and the exchange of prisoners for hostages.”

Trump has told his Cabinet that while the process for such a large-scale hostage release is difficult to accomplish, he expects it to happen either Monday or Tuesday of next week. Beyond that, Hamas has not formally agreed to Trump’s demand that the militant group demilitarize.

The New York Times reports that Trump is planning on traveling to the Middle East to be present during the official signing of the agreement in Egypt. “He also said he had been invited to address Israel’s Parliament and intended to do so.”

DEVELOPMENTS LEADING TO AGREEMENT

Earlier this week, a lot of work was put in to reaching this point. Trump had vocalized his belief that there was a solid chance of making a lasting deal, as Egypt and Qatar had willingly administered talks between delegates from Israel and Hamas.

Trump’s overall plan for peace had received significant support from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he stated that the U.S. initiative for peace in the Middle East was welcomed by the UK.

Within his 20-point peace plan, Trump acknowledged the decimation of the majority of Hamas’ leadership; so he had offered amnesty in exchange for an agreement to the plan. Naturally, the militant group’s main tactic had been to draw out negotiations for as long as possible in order to survive.

The 20-point plan reads:

1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its’ neighbors
2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough
3. If both sides agree to the proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces withdraw, all military operations suspended, battle lines frozen until conditions are met for complete withdrawal
4. Within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance of the agreement, all hostages will be returned
5. When all hostages are released, Israel will release those detained following Oct. 7^th, 2023
6. When all hostages are returned, Hamas will agree to peaceful co-existence and decommission their weapons in order to receive amnesty. Those who wish to leave will be taken by receiving countries
7. Once the agreement is accepted, the Gaza Strip will receive full humanitarian aid
8. Entry of said distribution and aid will continue without interference
9. “Gaza will be governed under temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee”
10. A panel of experts will create a “Trump economic development plan” for the purpose of rebuilding Gaza
11. A special economic zone will be established for negotiated tariffs and access rates
12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza
13. Hamas, amongst others, agree to not have any part in governing Gaza in any capacity. Gaza will be demilitarized
14. Regional partners will provide a guarantee of no threats to neighbors or people of the New Gaza
15. U.S. to collaborate with Arab and other partners to develop a temporary ISF to vet a Palestinian police force
16. Israel will not annex or occupy Gaza
17. If Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, everything will be transferred from the IDF to the ISF
18. Interfaith dialogue process to be established
19. Through redevelopment in Gaza, a new pathway for a self-determination and statehood for Palestine may be established
20. “The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.”

WHAT NOW?

The war is not over yet. While this newfound hope is good and necessary, it’s equally vital to remain level-headed about the reality of this situation. There have been countless ceasefire deals struck between Israel and Hamas, while nearly all of them have been violated in one way or another. With the help of negotiation power from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, this does prompt new confidence for a finalized conclusion to the war. The only thing to do now is wait for Monday.

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Katelyn Sims is a senior at Howard Payne University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science with emphasis in American political studies, global studies and jurisprudence. She is also a student in the university’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, as well as a prominent member of the Student Speaker Bureau speech and debate team. Following graduation, Katelyn will pursue a career in the field of U.S. foreign policy.

Katelyn has worked as a news writer and marketing coordinator with Brownwood News since 2023. Her column The Truth Will Set You Free is intended for all people from all walks of life. Katelyn aspires to inform readers of major U.S. political and legislative activity with an unbiased analysis that engages with political ideologies on all sides of the aisle. She believes the public ought to exercise their free will to cultivate personalized opinions on controversial issues without the influence of mainstream media.