President Donald Trump brokered a historic ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, leading to the release of the final 20 living hostages held in Gaza on October 13, 2025. The deal, signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, marks the end of two years of conflict sparked by the October 7, 2023, attack. World leaders praised Trump's role, with nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize following.
The ceasefire agreement, part of Trump's 20-point peace plan, was signed by representatives from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey during a summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort. Hamas released the 20 living hostages, abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took around 250 captives. In exchange, Israel began releasing approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including 250 security prisoners.
Prior releases had freed 135 hostages under a brief Biden-era ceasefire in January 2025, but the conflict resumed. Trump credited U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025—Operation Midnight Hammer—for isolating Hamas and enabling the deal. 'I think it really started when we took out the nuclear capability of Iran,' Trump told Fox News.
In Jerusalem, Trump addressed Israel's Knesset, declaring, 'This is not only the end of a war—it is the end of an age of terror and death, and the beginning of the age of faith, and hope, and of God.' He urged expansion of the Abraham Accords, signed during his first term with Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and the UAE. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump 'the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House' and nominated him for the Israel Prize.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, his second such endorsement after a June 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire. 'I would like to nominate this great president for the Nobel Peace Prize,' Sharif said. Former President Bill Clinton praised Trump, stating he 'deserves great credit' for the agreement. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) posted, 'The nightmare finally ends. Credit to @POTUS for a breakthrough ceasefire.'
Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed the plan built on Biden administration work, but Trump dismissed it: 'Everybody knows it’s a joke.' Netanyahu skipped the Egypt summit due to the Jewish holiday Shemini Atzeret but lauded Trump's leadership. The deal includes phases for Hamas disarmament, Gaza demilitarization, and reconstruction, with aid flowing into the territory.
