(251009) -- TEL AVIV, Oct. 9, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Israelis celebrte following the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a Gaza ceasefire deal in Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 9, 2025. Israel and Hamas on Thursday agreed to a Gaza ceasefire deal, offering a tentative path toward ending the two-year conflict that has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, injured almost 170,000 others, and left the enclave in ruins. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) (Photo by Xinhua/Sipa USA)
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(Tel Aviv, Israel) — Celebrations broke out across the Middle East on Wednesday, after President Trump announced that the first phase of a White House brokered deal to end the war in Gaza had been signed off on by both Israel and Hamas. In Tel Aviv, Israelis took to the streets waving both Israeli and American flags. Some were chanting President Trump’s name. In Gaza men could be seen parading through the streets also praising President Trump for getting the deal done.
Last week, Sid Rosenberg spoke to Eli Sharabi, who survived captivity by Hamas, for an emotional and inspiring conversation about faith, resilience, and standing proud as a Jew in the face of hate. “Don’t let the hate win, choose light, stay united, and love life,” he told Sid.
During phase one of the peace deal, set to start right away Israel will withdraw troops to a predetermined line out of the main cities in Gaza. They will also release 250 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails. Hamas will in turn release all of the remaining hostages it took during it’s October 7, 2024 attack on Israel. There are believed to be 48 remaining hostages in Gaza, of whom Israel believes 20 are still alive. Those hostages could be freed as soon as Monday.
Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya released a video on Thursday saying he believes the war with Israel is over. In the video, Al-Hayya said he was given assurance from mediators that Israel would act quickly on it’s promises.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that he would vote against the peace plan
“I and the ministers of Otzma Yehudit [Ben-Gvir’s political party] will not be able to raise our hands in favor of a deal that releases those murderous terrorists, and we will oppose it in the government. It’s not clear if Ben-Gvir has any power to sink the deal.
The negotiations for the second and more complicated phase of the peace plan still need to be completely ironed out. It includes the disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza. Those talks are also expected to take place in Egypt.
President Trump plans to take a Middle East victory lap early next week where he will be cheered by both Israel and the Arab world
