By M10News International Desk| Dayo Olusola|October 9, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed a “critical turning point” in the Gaza war after Israel and Hamas signed off on the first phase of Donald Trump’s new peace plan — a move that could end more than two years of devastating conflict.
Netanyahu welcomes “turning point”
Speaking late on Wednesday, Netanyahu said the deal would bring home all 48 remaining hostages still held by Hamas, including at least 20 believed to b7e alive.
“Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we’ve reached this critical turning point,” he said.
The Israeli leader credited Washington for its mediation and described the agreement as a path to restoring security and stability in the region.
Global reaction to breakthrough
In London, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the breakthrough a “moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world.”
“This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay,” he said during his trade visit to Mumbai.
Across both Israel and Gaza, news of the ceasefire triggered widespread celebration. In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, families of the captives embraced, waved flags, and wept as the news filtered through. In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, residents filled the streets in jubilation, clapping and chanting.
“Nobel prize to Trump”
Footage broadcast on Israeli and Arab media showed people waving American flags and chanting “Nobel prize to Trump” in recognition of the US president’s mediation efforts.
The White House confirmed the Israeli security cabinet would meet Thursday to formally approve the plan and bring the ceasefire into effect.
The deal includes a comprehensive exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, marking the most significant diplomatic progress since the conflict began.
Hamas urges no delay
In a statement released overnight, Hamas called on President Trump to ensure Israel “does not evade or delay” the terms of the agreement.
The militant group said it hoped the deal would “lead to the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.”
Israel’s Defence Forces (IDF) said it was “ready for any scenario” and would carry out all orders “in accordance with the directives of the government.”
The military confirmed it was prepared to “lead the operation” for the safe return of the hostages.
Trump hails “great day for the world”
Announcing the agreement on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our Peace Plan.”
He added that all hostages would be released and that Israel would withdraw its troops “to an agreed upon line.”
He later described it as a “great day for the world” and thanked mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their “incredible work” in securing the deal.
Behind-the-scenes diplomacy
Sources close to the talks said the US, Egyptian, and Qatari delegations had worked for days in Cairo to finalize the plan.
Delegates were seen hugging and celebrating when news of the agreement broke late on Wednesday.
Trump later told Reuters the hostages could be released as early as Monday and hinted that he might travel to the region “within days” to oversee the next stage of the deal.
The White House note moment
At a White House event earlier that evening, cameras captured US Secretary of State Marco Rubio handing Trump a small note.
Trump paused, read it, and then announced: “We’re very close to a deal in the Middle East — and they’re going to need me pretty quickly.”
The note, later revealed by aides, included the phrase “very close” underlined twice and urged Trump to post the announcement online before the formal signing.
A ceasefire and conditions for disarmament
According to the details released so far, the first phase of the peace plan will see an immediate ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.
In exchange, Israel will release Palestinian detainees and pull back its forces to a mutually agreed buffer line inside Gaza.
Hamas has reportedly sought written guarantees from mediators that Israel will not resume its military campaign once the hostages are freed.
International oversight proposed
Trump’s plan also calls for the eventual disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of an international body to govern Gaza once the militant group steps down.
Former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair is said to be under consideration for a leadership role in that body, according to diplomatic sources.
The White House said the peace plan “represents a structured roadmap to lasting stability in the region,” with further negotiations expected to address political normalization and reconstruction.
Starmer: “Unimaginable suffering must end”
Starmer said the deal must mark the end of “unimaginable suffering” experienced by both Israelis and Palestinians.
“We call on all parties to meet their commitments, end the war, and build the foundations for a lasting peace,” he said in a statement issued by Downing Street.
He added that the UK would back humanitarian efforts to “lift all restrictions on life-saving aid” reaching Gaza’s civilians.
Casualties and toll of war
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry claims more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly half of them women and children.
Israel disputes the figures, saying many of those killed were Hamas fighters embedded in civilian areas.
In the 24 hours before the deal was signed, medical authorities in Gaza said at least eight people had been killed in airstrikes — the lowest daily toll in months.
Analysis: Trump’s return to global diplomacy
Political analysts say the deal marks Trump’s most significant diplomatic intervention since returning to office.
Dr. Leila Hassan, a Middle East researcher at King’s College London, told M10News the plan “reasserts US influence in the region and repositions Trump as a central peace broker.”
“Whether it holds depends on enforcement mechanisms and regional buy-in — but symbolically, it’s a huge moment,” she said.
The next steps
Israel’s security cabinet is expected to vote on the plan within hours, with implementation likely to begin this weekend.
International observers from the UN, Egypt, and Qatar are expected to monitor the ceasefire zones and coordinate prisoner exchanges.
Both sides are under intense pressure to ensure the agreement holds and that humanitarian corridors remain open.
Editing by M10News International Desk | Contact: world@m10news.com
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