The 2025 Peace Agreement in Israel: A Turning Point or Temporary Reprieve?

Israel and Hamas finally reached a peace agreement that might transform the Middle East two years after a bloody conflict. The agreement was reached in early October 2025 and was mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump with backing from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. It has unresolved anger and brittle trust, but it also gives some promise.

How the Peace Plan Began

The war broke out in 2023 with Hamas attacking southern Israel. The response from Israel has been fierce and relentless, killing tens of thousands and leaving Gaza in ruins. Proceeding to January 2025, Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan started the first absolute path to a ceasefire. It called for an end to attacks and the release of hostages, a gradual Israeli withdrawal under international monitoring and the rebuilding of Gaza with help from Arab nations.

This agreement evolved into a three-phase roadmap. The first phase focused on a ceasefire and hostage exchange, the second (now underway) on disarmament and reconstruction, and the third, still distant, on self-governance for Gaza.

Trump’s “Phase Two” and Big Promise

US President Donald Trump declared on October 13 that “Phase Two begins right now,” after Hamas released 20 Israeli hostages in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. He said a “big burden has been lifted”, but warned that the “dead have not been returned, as promised.”

Trump’s plan now moves to creating a temporary governing authority in Gaza and deploying an international stability force of about 200 troops. The group, supervised by U.S. Central Command, includes personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the UAE. No US soldiers will be based directly in Gaza, but Washington will coordinate the mission.

Trump informed CNN that if Hamas fails to disarm or return all the deceased hostages, Israel will resume attacks “as soon as I say the word”.

Netanyahu’s Balancing Act

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains cautious but pragmatic. He told the Knesset on October 13 that Israel is “giving peace a chance,” while praising Trump as “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House”. He added that this is “the end of two years of war,” but also warned that “Hamas must fully disarm or all hell breaks loose”.

In his CBS interview, Netanyahu said, “We agreed to get the first part done. Now let’s give a chance to do the second part peacefully.” He also emphasised that Hamas must give up its weapons factories and stop smuggling arms into Gaza.

Even as he supports the deal, Netanyahu’s coalition partners remain divided. Far-right ministers want permanent Israeli control over parts of Gaza. Others fear that resuming war would destroy what little trust remains.  

Ongoing Disputes and Warnings

Keeping up with the fears of some Israeli ministers, the peace accord is encountering mounting pressures that threaten its sustainability. Although the release of living hostages brought relief, Hamas has not yet returned all the bodies of deceased Israeli captives. Out of the 28 promised bodies, only nine have been delivered.

As a result, Israel has limited humanitarian aid entering Gaza, allowing far fewer than the 400–600 truckloads of supplies per day that Trump’s plan promised.

Hamas, for its part, claims it cannot locate all bodies amid the rubble from Israeli bombings. Israeli and American officials accuse it of stalling. Trump publicly warned, “If they don’t respect the deal, we will disarm them ourselves”.

Aid and the New “Safe Zone”

Under the latest U.S.-Israeli proposal, a “safe zone” is being created within IDF-controlled territory where civilians can live without fear of Hamas retaliation. American advisers say no Gazans will be forced to relocate, but this idea remains controversial among Palestinians who view it as another form of occupation.

Meanwhile, Israel’s army confirmed on October 15 that it opened fire on a group of Palestinians who came close to its surveillance area, killing at least three. These incidents show how thin the line between peace and renewed violence has become.

Gaza’s Reconstruction and Future Governance

The reconstruction phase begins under a $60 billion international fund led by the U.S., UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union. This will rebuild homes, schools, and hospitals across Gaza.

However, the bigger challenge lies in who governs Gaza next. Hamas has agreed to hand over partial administrative duties to a new transitional council, but not to dissolve completely. A small number of Hamas fighters have already defied the ceasefire, executing suspected collaborators.

Arab mediators warn that if this continues, Trump’s plan could fall apart within months. Egyptian and Qatari diplomats are now working to ensure that Hamas leaders in Doha and Gaza City maintain discipline within their ranks.

International Response

World leaders have praised the deal but remain cautious. The European Union has pledged billions in reconstruction funds but emphasises that aid reach civilians directly. France’s President Macron and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer will join Trump and Egypt’s President Sisi for a Cairo Summit next week to discuss Gaza’s political future.

In Washington, U.S. lawmakers are divided. Trump’s peace effort supporters see it as a monumental step toward regional stability, but critics argue that it is just a pause and not true peace.

The View from Gaza

Life in Gaza has not been any simpler, but at least there are no longer any bombings. Rebuilding their homes has begun for some families, and aid trucks are gradually returning. Food costs are high, meanwhile, and power is still erratic. One Gazan educator stated on local radio that "it's peace without freedom." "However, it's preferable to war for now." 

Ordinary people don’t talk much about politics;  they talk about getting clean water, finding food, and hoping their children can return to school. Gazans could see their first stable period in two decades if the reconstruction succeeds.

Trump’s Vision and Real Challenges

Trump keeps claiming to be "the Peace President" and taking victory laps. Experts caution that pressure-based peace, instead of reconciliation-based peace, would not endure. Both parties must exercise restraint to move forward, which is uncommon in this conflict.

He insists that this deal expands the Abraham Accords and will bring more Arab states, possibly Saudi Arabia, into partnership with Israel by 2026. If that happens, it could permanently reshape the region’s balance of power.

A Fragile but Real Peace

Despite the setbacks, the 2025 Israel-Hamas peace deal remains the closest thing to stability the region has seen in years. It shows that diplomacy, even when led by forceful personalities, can stop the bloodshed, at least for now.  

But with hostage disputes, aid bottlenecks, and continued mistrust, the peace remains exceptionally fragile. Trump’s pressure may have stopped the war, but only cooperation can prevent the next one.  

For now, Gaza’s skies are quiet, and Israelis are not running to shelters. After two years of horror, that small calm is something the region desperately needs, even if it’s just the beginning.