After nearly two years of relentless bombardment, ruin and unimaginable loss, a sliver of light has emerged from the rubble of Gaza. Yesterday, the first phase of a ceasefire agreement — brokered under US President Donald Trump’s much-anticipated 20-point peace plan — officially took effect. The deal, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye, marks the first serious step toward ending a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and decimated a population already under siege for decades.
This is, without question, a breakthrough moment. For the first time both sides have consented to a structured roadmap toward de-escalation. Under the agreement, Hamas will release 20 living captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. In return, Israel has agreed to pull back its troops to a mutually determined line, allowing desperately needed humanitarian aid to flood into the besieged enclave. While Trump’s plan has courted skepticism, the diplomatic choreography behind this deal cannot be dismissed.
The convergence of Qatari pragmatism, Egyptian leverage and Turkish influence has produced what no single actor could achieve alone. Yet, this moment of hope remains fragile. The world has seen ceasefires before – brief pauses that gave way to renewed violence and political posturing. For this agreement to evolve beyond symbolism, it must be implemented with transparency and monitored with resolve. Crucially, both Israel and Hamas must see this first phase not as an end in itself but as a gateway to dialogue on deeper issues. If this process stalls or is derailed by mistrust, the consequences will be devastating.
For now, though, hope deserves its due. After years of destruction, Gaza’s skies may finally hold a promise other than drones and despair. The challenge for the world is to ensure that this ceasefire becomes more than a pause in war and becomes the foundation for peace. History rarely offers such chances.
