A comprehensive and permanent Gaza ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas on Thursday, 9 October 2025, following months of intensive diplomatic efforts. The deal was brokered through the joint mediation of Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt and the United States of America, whose diplomatic capital was crucial in achieving the breakthrough. The agreement includes a complete cessation of hostilities, the release of all Israeli hostages and a number of Palestinian prisoners, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, marking a pivotal moment in the conflict.
The Terms of the Agreement
The breakthrough agreement rests on four principal components, with implementation expected to commence within 24 hours. The core elements are:
- A permanent and comprehensive ceasefire throughout the Gaza Strip.
- The release of all Israeli hostages currently held by Hamas.
- The reciprocal release of an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention facilities.
- A complete withdrawal of all Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip.
In a statement confirming the deal, Hamas announced that the terms address the key demands of the Palestinian people, including a permanent end to the conflict and the lifting of the blockade. An Israeli official, cited in a Reuters report, labelled the terms “difficult” but stated the agreement was essential for securing the return of the hostages. While the agreement marks a comprehensive military disengagement, it does not specify a political framework for the future governance of Gaza post-withdrawal, an unresolved issue that will be critical for long-term stability.
International and United Nations Response
The announcement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement was met with widespread international approval. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, warmly welcomed the deal and expressed his hope that it will lead to a “lasting political peace”. Crucially, the Secretary-General underscored the readiness of the humanitarian community to act. According to an official United Nations (hereinafter: UN) press release, humanitarian partners are “prepared to move now” to address the severe humanitarian crisis. This involves the immediate, large-scale delivery of aid into and across all parts of Gaza, which has been hampered by months of conflict. The UN is calling for safe and unimpeded access to facilitate this urgent relief effort.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also welcomed the agreement, with a spokesperson stating, as reported by Xinhua News Agency, that China hopes for the “smooth and sustained implementation” of its terms. The spokesperson reiterated the view that the ceasefire should serve as a step toward a comprehensive and just resolution of the broader Palestinian issue.
Commentary
The ceasefire agreement is an important step towards securing the survival of the Palestinian people, who are on the brink of completely losing one of their few remaining territories, the Gaza Strip. It is now important that the international state community hold Israel to the agreed terms. In the recent past alone, Israel has violated agreed ceasefires in more than 300 cases, raising serious questions about the latest ceasefire agreement. Moreover, Israel has repeatedly stated its goals to fully conquer the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. It is unlikely that Israel abandoned its goals and rather merely gave in to the international pressure that has built up in the course of the military aggression in Sub-Anatolia.
To sustainably end the conflict, international aid needs to quickly reach the Gaza Strip. Further, military supervision and security by international bodies and mediator states need to be implemented to prevent any breach of the ceasefire. In the coming months, there is also an urgent need for a strategic rebuilding plan. If those requirements are met, Palestinians might restore some civilian and societal life quite quickly. Aided by many recognition statements by many states over the past year, the Palestinians will be vested with more diplomatic means than in the past. However, in light of Israel’s goals and foreign policy actions, grave doubts about the longevity of this agreement remain in place. For more insights into the war, click here.
