A major breakthrough was reached on October 9, 2025, with Israel and Hamas signing the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal. Reuters+2The Guardian+2
Key parts of the agreement:
- Israel will partially withdraw troops from parts of Gaza, pulling back to agreed-lines. Reuters+2The Guardian+2
- Hamas agrees to release all remaining Israeli hostages. In return, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Reuters+2The Guardian+2
- All living hostages to be released within 72 hours after the military withdrawal is completed; similarly, the remains of deceased hostages held by Hamas are to be returned in that timeframe. Wikipedia+2Reuters+2
- Humanitarian aid is to enter Gaza following the ceasefire, and international monitoring (including from countries like Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, etc.) will help oversee implementation. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2
The deal still needs approval by Israel’s cabinet; once ratified, implementation is to begin quickly.