A Fragile Hope: What the New Israel–Hamas Ceasefire Means for Peace
October 23, 2025 by
After nearly two years of devastating war in Gaza, Israel and Hamas have reached a new ceasefire agreement that many hope could mark a turning point. Under the deal, which President Donald Trump engaged in personal diplomacy and negotiations to secure, Hamas has released all remaining living Israeli hostages while Israel has freed more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.1
This round of conflict began after Hamas launched a terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.2 In response, Israel launched a military offensive on Gaza, killing more than 60,000 Palestinians according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.3 But for the first time in many months, the guns have quieted. Aid trucks carrying food, medicine, and fuel are moving into Gaza, and both sides are tentatively beginning to talk about what comes next. Yet, while this moment brings relief, it also raises hard questions about whether peace can truly last.
WATCH: President Trump Addresses Israel’s Parliament, Calling the Ceasefire the “Historic Dawn of a New Middle East”
What the Ceasefire Includes
The ceasefire terms are meant to reduce immediate suffering and build trust. Hamas agreed to release the hostages it still held and to return the bodies of others who died in captivity.4 In exchange, Israel freed thousands of Palestinian detainees and began pulling back some of its troops from heavily populated areas of Gaza.5 The agreement also allows for large amounts of humanitarian aid to enter the territory under the supervision of the United Nations and international partners.6 Although the ceasefire has brought a sense of hope, it is not necessarily a permanent peace. The agreement leaves major issues unresolved—such as who will ultimately govern Gaza, how Hamas’ weapons will be handled, and what role Israel will continue to play in the territory’s security.7 In that sense, this is a first phase, a breathing space that might either open the door to diplomacy or close again if trust breaks down.
What Comes Next
The next steps in the peace process will determine whether this ceasefire becomes a foundation for peace or just another temporary truce. The immediate goal is to maintain the pause and prevent violations. If either side resumes violence, the agreement could collapse. Diplomats from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are working to keep communication open and to design a longer-term plan that would address Gaza’s reconstruction and future governance.
Gaza itself faces an enormous rebuilding task. The war destroyed much of its infrastructure—homes, hospitals, power grids, and schools—and hundreds of thousands of residents remain displaced. As aid workers begin distributing supplies, international agencies are calling for more consistent access and long-term investment.8 Political talks will likely focus on whether the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, could take on a larger role in Gaza’s administration.9 Some leaders hope a technocratic government supported by the UN might stabilize the region. But years of mistrust and internal Palestinian divisions make such transitions uncertain.
READ: “Who Governs the Palestinians?” from the Council on Foreign Relations
How People View the Ceasefire Deal
Reactions to the ceasefire have been both hopeful and cautious. Supporters see it as a humanitarian victory that has already saved lives. They argue that the return of the living hostages, the release of prisoners, and the renewed flow of aid show that diplomacy can work even after bitter violence. They also see the ceasefire as an important step toward a broader peace that includes rebuilding Gaza, improving daily life for Palestinians, and reducing regional tensions.
Those who are more skeptical, however, warn that the agreement is too vague and could unravel quickly. Some Israelis fear that Hamas will use the pause to rearm, reorganize, and regain control. Others argue that the deal offers too few guarantees for Israel’s security or that it rewards Hamas’ tactics of hostage-taking. On the other side, many Palestinians worry that the ceasefire changes little about the daily realities of occupation, displacement, and limited sovereignty. They believe true peace will require deeper political change and recognition of Palestinian rights, including voting rights and authority over their own territory.10 Both sides know that previous ceasefires have failed, which fuels some worries about whether this one can hold.
The Role of the United States in the Ceasefire
The United States has played a central role in brokering and supporting this agreement. American diplomats worked closely with Israel, Egypt, and Qatar to finalize the terms and are now helping monitor compliance. The Trump administration hopes that U.S. involvement will keep both parties at the table and prevent a return to all-out war.11 Washington is also expected to coordinate much of the humanitarian aid and reconstruction funding that will flow into Gaza, using its influence to ensure that the aid reaches civilians rather than armed groups.
At the same time, the United States faces a delicate balancing act. It must maintain its longstanding alliance with Israel while demonstrating concern for Palestinian civilians and a commitment to long-term peace. Within the United States, public opinion remains divided and policymakers face pressure from multiple directions—some calling for stronger support for Israel’s security, others urging the United States to push harder for Palestinian statehood. Internationally, the United States will have to work with regional powers like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia to make the ceasefire sustainable and to restart broader peace talks.
A Cautious Path Forward
For people in Israel, the ceasefire brings the hostages home. For people in Gaza, it brings a rare moment of quiet and a promise of food and medical aid. After years of suffering, families have been reunited, aid is arriving, and communities can begin to rebuild. But peace in the Middle East has often proven fragile. The future will depend on whether both sides can move beyond short-term gains and toward political solutions that guarantee security, dignity, and justice for all.
Discussion Questions
- Before the ceasefire was announced, what had you learned about the conflict? Where did you get most of your information?
- What are the key elements of the new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas? Why do you think each side agreed to those terms?
- Supporters and skeptics of the ceasefire have very different views about what it achieves. Which arguments do you find most convincing? Why?
- How should the United States respond if Hamas violates the ceasefire? If Israel violates the ceasefire?
- How should governments and international organizations balance the need for security with the responsibility to protect civilians during and after a conflict?
As always, we encourage you to join the discussion with your comments or questions below.
Sources
Featured Image: REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
[1] Associated Press: apnews.com/article/9e4921406e846189c90144609c1a9530; apnews.com/article/ded7055617d60579a1c7ae730bd1461c
[2] ABC7 Los Angeles: https://abc7.com/post/israel-says-hamas-hands-first-7-hostages-red-cross-part-gaza-ceasefire/17995407/#:~:text=The%20war%20began%20when%20Hamas,killed%20and%20251%20taken%20hostage
[3] Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-many-palestinians-has-israels-gaza-offensive-killed-2025-10-07/
[4] Reuters: reuters.com/world/middle-east/israelis-honour-trump-hostages-return-home-two-years-after-their-capture-2025-10-12
[5] Reuters: reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-agree-gaza-ceasefire-return-hostages-2025-10-09
[6] Center for Strategic & International Studies: csis.org/analysis/what-comes-next-israel-hamas-ceasefire
[7] Reuters: reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-aims-surge-aid-medical-supplies-into-gaza-once-ceasefire-starts-2025-10-09
[8] Reuters: reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-agree-gaza-ceasefire-return-hostages-2025-10-09
[9] Reuters: reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinian-authority-ready-help-trumps-gaza-effort-succeed-says-official-2025-10-12
[10] Reuters: reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-suggests-hamas-has-approval-internal-security-operations-gaza-2025-10-13
[11] PBS: pbs.org/newshour/world/analysis-trump-achieved-a-breakthrough-gaza-ceasefire-but-a-tough-road-lies-ahead
