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Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, as part of US President Donald Trump's peace initiative, which aims to end the two-year war in Gaza.

In Israel, the Council of Ministers met to vote in favor of the agreement, preceded by a meeting of the Security Council.

It is worth noting that both meetings were postponed due to intra-governmental turmoil, culminating in the demand by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to exclude specific prisoners from the exchange.

The far-right minister threatened to withdraw his party from the government if Hamas is not completely dismantled, stating that if Hamas is not dismantled, Netanyahu's government will fall. 

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took a similar stance, announcing that he would vote against the deal. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the outcome a diplomatic success and a national victory for Israel.

Netanyahu earlier met with Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the US president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who took part in the cabinet meeting.

The cabinet meeting was extended in time as, as ELIAMEP researcher Gabriel Charitos told K, citing government sources, more specific aspects of the Gaza governance model were examined - in addition to the hostage release process - the following day.

Besides, as Mr. Charitos points out, Hamas would not have agreed to release the hostages at this stage if it had not received guarantees from the US and the mediators regarding the very delicate balances that the organization's leadership is promoting for the next day in Gaza.

Hamas does not talk about disarmament

For his part, Hamas's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, stated that the organization received guarantees from the US and mediators that the war has ended and that Palestinian organizations will now focus on self-determination and the creation of a Palestinian state.

However, he did not mention the possible disarmament of Hamas or the participation of an international stabilization force, issues that remain open.

In Gaza, Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal reported that rescue operations are continuing after a heavy Israeli attack in the Sabra area, where dozens of civilians remain trapped.

At the same time, Gaza City Municipality spokesman Asem Alnabih pointed out that the reality on the ground has not changed, calling on residents to avoid premature celebrations.

The terms of the agreement

The international community spoke about the most significant development since the start of the conflicts in 2023, with Washington describing it as a first step towards lasting peace in the Middle East.

The agreement calls for a cessation of hostilities, Israel to withdraw some of its forces from the Gaza Strip, and Hamas to release all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The first releases are expected within the next 72 hours.

The agreement provides:

• Suspension of military operations throughout Gaza.
• Partial withdrawal of Israeli forces – they will, however, maintain supervision over 53% of Gaza territory.
• Release of 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and approximately 1,700 prisoners arrested since the start of the war.
• Opening of the Rafah crossing to Egypt and entry of humanitarian aid, with the UN taking a central role in distribution.

Trump heads to the Middle East

President Trump said from the White House that the agreement will lead to lasting peace, adding that he plans to travel to the Middle East on Sunday, with stops in Jerusalem and Cairo, to attend the agreement's ratification ceremony in Egypt and address the Knesset (Israel's parliament).

He did not rule out meeting with the hostages, who - as he said - will be released either on Monday or Tuesday.

Responding to questions from reporters at the White House, Trump stated that he has no opinion on the two-state solution, noting: I will follow whatever the sides agree to… We will create better conditions for everyone.

Asked about the possibility of creating a Palestinian state, he added: I think we will get there.

When asked about the Nobel Peace Prize, which will be awarded on Friday, he replied: No one in history has stopped eight wars in nine months. I didn't do it for the prize, I did it because I saved lives.

Trump invited to address the Knesset

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana confirmed that the Israeli parliament has officially invited the president of the United States to address the plenary."It is my great honor and privilege to officially invite the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish people in modern history," Ohana said, calling Trump the President of Peace.

He noted that Trump will be the first American president to address the Knesset since George Bush in 2008. Earlier, Trump had stated that he accepted the invitation, saying – incorrectly – that he would be the first US president to do so.

It is my profound honor and privilege to officially invite the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish people in modern history, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, to deliver a formal address to the nation before the Knesset.

Israel awaits The Peace President.

— Amir Ohana – אמיר אוקאנה (@AmirOhana) October 9, 2025

The 60-day plan

For her part, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that there would be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza, stressing that the new administrative authority should be formed by Palestinian representatives and supported by the Arab League and the UN.

The UN also presented a 60-day plan to restore the humanitarian situation, providing food and medical care to 2.1 million people.

Deputy Secretary-General Tom Fletcher said that the blockade of Gaza must be lifted, while calling on the international community to fully fund the program.

Iran, a long-time supporter of Hamas, appeared unusually reserved. The Foreign Ministry in Tehran said it supported any initiative to end the genocidal conflict, though it warned Hamas to be wary of Israeli intentions.

At the same time, the leader of the Houthi movement in Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, announced that his organization would oversee compliance with the ceasefire and would retaliate if Israel did not comply.