President Donald Trump and a host of world leaders signed a landmark U.S.-brokered peace agreement on Monday to end the war in Gaza, capping a dramatic day that saw Hamas release all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
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The summit in Egypt, attended by representatives from more than two dozen nations — including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom — marked the formal inauguration of the ceasefire plan that took effect on Friday.
“This is the day that people across the region and around the world have been working, striving, hoping, and praying for,” Trump declared in his opening remarks, calling the agreement “historic” and noting that “the prayers of millions have finally been answered.” He described watching footage of hostages reuniting with their families as “the level of love is just incredible,” adding, “A new and beautiful day is rising. And now, the rebuilding begins.”
Earlier in the day, Trump addressed Israel’s Knesset after arriving in the country, where he received a warm reception. The hostage release unfolded as part of the plan’s crucial first phase: Hamas handed over the 20 living captives — a mix of civilians and soldiers — including fraternal twins Gali and Ziv Berman, 28, abducted from Kfar Aza kibbutz; Eitan Mor, a security guard at the Nova music festival; Guy Gilboa-Dalal, kidnapped from the same festival; and Omri Miran, 48, taken from Nahal Oz kibbutz along with his young daughters who were briefly held by militants.
Tragically, two hostages previously believed to be alive — 24-year-old Bipin Joshi and 20-year-old Tamir Nimrodi — were confirmed dead on Monday. Hamas also released the remains of four deceased Israeli hostages, with two more coffins transferred to the Red Cross later in the day. Trump noted that the remains of 24 others have yet to be recovered, saying, “Not all of their bodies have been found and recovered.”
In exchange, Israel freed approximately 2,000 Palestinians, including 250 serving life sentences and about 1,700 others detained without charge since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war. Buses carrying the released prisoners were seen driving past destroyed buildings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Aid began flowing into Gaza immediately after the ceasefire, with Israel completing its military pullback to a pre-approved line. The United Nations announced an additional $11 million from its emergency fund to scale up humanitarian support ahead of winter, including fuel supplies and life-saving essentials. U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that without further contributions from member states, “critical aid cannot keep flowing to the people who rely on it.”
Trump, wrapping up a whirlwind trip, received Egypt’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Nile, from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for strengthening U.S.-Egypt ties and advancing regional peace efforts. “I’m deeply honored… The Nile is so beautiful, so magnificent,” Trump said. He boarded Air Force One shortly after, heading back to Washington without taking questions, and is expected to arrive early Tuesday.
In a nod to reconstruction, Trump revealed that “numerous countries of great wealth, power, and dignity” had pledged support for rebuilding Gaza, estimated by the World Bank and Egypt’s postwar plan to cost at least $53 billion. “I’m pleased to announce… they want to help in the reconstruction of Gaza, putting up whatever money is necessary,” he said, without naming the donors. “Rebuilding is maybe going to be the easiest part… we know how to build better than anybody in the world.”
Back in the U.S., Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement hailing the breakthrough. “Today is a wonderful day. Finally, finally, finally, the last living hostages brutally held by Hamas are home,” the New York senator said, commending Trump, his administration, and hostage families. He reaffirmed commitments to recover the deceased, including his constituents Omer Neutra and Itay Chen, and stressed pursuing “a long-term and lasting peace.”
While Monday’s milestones advanced the plan’s initial phase, deeper challenges loom. Future stages must tackle Gaza’s postwar governance, Israel’s insistence on Hamas disarmament (which the group has rejected), and Palestinian calls for statehood (opposed by Israel’s current government). The agreement also calls for regional partners to form a new Palestinian security force.
Negotiations could falter, with Israel signaling potential resumption of operations if demands go unmet. Egypt plans to host a reconstruction conference, but the Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged suspending the deal until all deceased remains are returned.
The peace, Trump acknowledged in the Knesset, “remains fragile,” but he expressed optimism: “They have done things over the last month that I think were really unthinkable. Nobody thought this could happen.” As buses of freed Palestinians rolled through Gaza’s ruins and joyful reunions played out in Israel, the world watched — and waited — for the next chapter.
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