They are coming home!

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was kidnapped on October 7th, at celebrations at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv as negotiators sign deal freeing all hostages from Gaza, October 09, 2025.
Photo by Chaim Goldberg/FLASH90

October 8, 2025 | U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday evening, October 8, 2025. The agreement came a day after the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, when the terrorist group, that has controlled Gaza, murdered 1200 Israelis and kidnapped 251 hostages. Of them, 48 remain, 20 of whom are reported to be alive.

Phase one of Trump’s 20-point peace plan was to go into effect immediately and included the following:

Within 72 hours of Israel accepting the deal, Hamas was to release all living and deceased hostages. In return, Israel agreed to release 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 other Gazan detainees.

A ceasefire would go into effect with Israeli forces agreeing to withdraw to a predetermined line, but continuing to occupy a portion of Gaza.

Immediately upon the agreement’s acceptance, a scaled-up flow of humanitarian aid was to enter Gaza, including materials for rebuilding infrastructure like water, electricity, and hospitals.

Phase one did not include the disarmament of Hamas, leaving that, and other contentious issues for later negotiation. (You can see the entire 20 point Peace Plan at the end of this article in a sidebar.)

What follows are reactions from around the world to the initial annoucement.

On Truth Social President Donald Trump wrote, “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”

Statement by President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock on announcement of Gaza ceasefire agreement: “Finally a ray of hope. After more than 700 days of death, destruction, and despair we have to seize this moment offered by the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas - to fully implement its conditions and end the war in Gaza. All Israeli hostages must be released, and the immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid must be ensured.

I commend the United States of America, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye, as well as the many behind and around it, for their efforts to bring the suffering of Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians to an end.

As outlined by many Heads of State during the UN General Assembly High-level week and in the New York Declaration, a permanent ceasefire can finally open a pathway to peace; ending the rule of Hamas in Gaza, ending the occupation and recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people as well as the security of the State of Israel by the whole region. Israelis and Palestinians can only live in lasting peace, security, and dignity when they live in two states, recognizing and ensuring the peace, security, and dignity of each other.”

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said, “I’m ecstatic with the news that President Trump has done what people thought not possible. He’s made it so that the hostages are going to come home; there will be an end to the war in Gaza; and Hamas won’t have a future there.”

Huckabee was very clear that every aspect of the peace deal from the ceasefire to the coordination between nations was made possible because of Trump’s personal leadership. Huckabee added, “If Donald Trump were on the ballot in Israel, he would get 95% of the vote, and the 5% who didn’t vote for him — they’re all in insane asylums.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the agreement where he posted on X, “With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.”

Netanyahu, calling the agreement “a great day for Israel” said, “I thank from the bottom of my heart President Trump and his team for their dedication to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages.

With God’s help, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbors.”

Israel’s President, Chaim Herzog says that if Trump visits Israel in the coming days, as expected, “he will be received with immense respect, affection, and gratitude by the people of Israel. This agreement will bring moments of indescribable relief to the dear families who have not slept for 733 days. This agreement offers a chance to mend, to heal, and to open a new horizon of hope for our region.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads Hamas’s rival Fatah movement, also welcomed Trump’s announcement.

He “expressed hope that these efforts would be a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution... leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state”.

Hamas spokesmen said, “We call on President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and all Arab, Islamic, and international parties to compel the occupation government to fully implement its obligations under the agreement and to prevent it from evading or delaying the implementation of what has been agreed upon. We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain, and that we will remain true to our pledge — never abandoning our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas “expressed hope that these efforts would be a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution... leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state”

Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said “The world is witnessing a historic moment. This agreement does not only close the chapter of war - it also opens the door of hope for the peoples of the region for a future defined by justice and stability”

Qatar, said the agreement “Offers hope for lasting calm in Gaza and highlights the power of joint mediation grounded in reason, not escalation”.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would “closely monitor the strict implementation of the agreement and continue to contribute to the process” and lauded Trump for “the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government toward the ceasefire” In his anti-Israel, pro-Hamas stance he added, “I extend my heartfelt greetings to my Palestinian brothers and sisters who have endured indescribable suffering for two years.”

Syria’s Foreign Ministry praised the role of the U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, welcomed the ceasefire and hoped it would lead the way “for a phase of regional stability.”

The UAE said it hoped it would “constitute a positive step toward ending the humanitarian suffering in Gaza” and pave the way for a “settlement that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and restores security and stability to the region”.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun expressed his hope tat the initial agreement would “constitute a first step toward a permanent ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people in Gaza.” He also called for “continued international and regional efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace in the region that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people” and for Israel to “halt its aggressive policies in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.”

Jordan’s King Abdullah hailed it as a “key step” to ending the war and promised to support Palestinians in their quest for “statehood in their own soil”

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry expressed “hope that this important step will lead to urgent action to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, a complete Israeli withdrawal, the restoration of security and stability and the initiation of practical steps to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry indicated it welcomes any decision “that would result in stopping the genocide of Palestinians, the withdrawal of the occupying Zionist army from Gaza, respect for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of Gaza.” It also warned about the risks surrounding the ceasefire and “dangerous aspects of this plan” but indicated that “Tehran maintains that any decision on this matter rests with the Palestinian people and resistance.”

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer cautioned Israel and Hamas “to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict” and expressed “profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently said that France is ready to recognize the state of Palestine, said the agreement “must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution”. He added the agreement is a “great hope for the hostages and their families, for the Palestinians in Gaza, and for the entire region.”

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, said: “For the first time in a long while, there is a real prospect of peace in the region.” Merz added that “hopes regarding Israel and the Gaza Strip increased again last night, but this is not yet really concluded, so we are of course watching the situation very closely and remain optimistic.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hailed the agreement and said, “It is now time to engage in dialogue, to assist the civilian population, and to look to the future with hope, but also with justice and with remembrance so that the atrocities experienced are never repeated”.

China said it “hopes to see the achievement of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza at the earliest opportunity, to effectively alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and ease regional tensions”. Their Foreign Ministry spokesperson added, “We are ready to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to promote a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue and the realization of peace and stability in the Middle East.”

President Vladimir Putin said Russia was hopeful “that these initiatives of the US president will actually be realized in practice”.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much needed step towards peace. We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan.”

Argentine President Javier Milei posted “I want to take the opportunity to say that I will sign the candidacy of Donald J. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to international peace. Any other leader with similar achievements would have received it a long time ago.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, the end to the war in Gaza “matters not only for that one region, but for the whole world. An agreement is moving forward that could help everyone. If violence and war are halted in one part of the world, global security increases for all. We hope that the Israeli hostages, held for more than two years, will be released, and there will be no more victims in Gaza, and we hope that global efforts will likewise be sufficient to achieve real peace for our country, in our region.”

President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock said, “Finally a ray of hope. After more than 700 days of death, destruction, and despair we have to seize this moment offered by the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas - to fully implement its conditions and end the war in Gaza. All Israeli hostages must be released, and the immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid must be ensured.

Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan, CEO & National Director, and all of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces said,

“After two years — 734 days — of heartache, anguish, and turmoil, the announcement we have been waiting for has finally arrived.

It is with cautious optimism that we express our hope for the ceasefire agreement announced today. While the coming hours and days will be critical as the Israeli government votes to approve the deal, and for our hostages to finally be brought home and into the arms of their loved ones, this brings an end to the devastating war that has stolen hundreds of innocent lives and allows us to begin the long journey of healing.

We extend our profound gratitude to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for his leadership and commitment to ensuring the hostages come home safely. This moment is owed to the unbreakable bond between the U.S. and Israel, and the extraordinary courage of the hundreds of thousands of IDF soldiers, reservists, and families who have given two long years of their lives to serve selflessly, bravely, and heroically.

As we welcome this momentous turning point, we also recognize that such deals come with profound sacrifices. We have witnessed how this war has brought immense hardship, and too many families’ loved ones will never return. We also hold in our thoughts the soldiers who are still in Gaza and those who will continue standing guard along Israel’s borders in the months ahead.

FIDF stands firm in our mission to stand beside these brave soldiers and their families who keep Israel safe. Their strength brings us hope, even in the darkest days.

We continue to hold our breath and pray for this agreement to reach full realization, and for all of our soldiers and hostages to come home.”

Am Yisrael Chai. Forever.

This report was prepared as President Trump was en route to Israel for the ceremonial signing of the historic Peace Plan negotiated by the president’s representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The next days, weeks, and longer will clarify how many of the plan’s 20 points will be finalized and put into effect.

President Donald Trump’s negotiating directives appears to have achieved results his predecessors only dreamed of, but never accomplished. He knew, as did President Ronald Reagan before him, that peace can only be achieved through strength. Negotiating through weakness did not work for Neville Chamberlain, it did not work for President Obama and did not work for President Biden. Let us hope that President Trump follows his own example in the Middle East when it comes to dealing with Vladimir Putin.