Could the devastating conflict in Gaza finally be nearing its end? It’s a question that has haunted the world for months, and now, a glimmer of hope has emerged. But here’s where it gets controversial: after Hamas signaled its willingness to accept parts of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan—including the release of all remaining Israeli hostages—indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are set to begin in Egypt on Monday. This development has sparked both cautious optimism and deep skepticism. I sat down with my colleague Josh Keating to unpack the details of this deal and its potential for success. You can catch our full conversation in Vox’s daily newsletter, Today, Explained, and sign up here [https://www.vox.com/pages/today-explained-newsletter-signup] for more insights like this.
What happened on Friday, and is this war truly about to end? On Friday, Hamas responded to President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already provisionally agreed to. Hamas accepted the deal, committing to release all surviving Israeli hostages and the remains of those who perished. However, they insisted on further talks to ‘discuss the details’ of the arrangement. While Trump seemed to interpret this as a clear ‘yes,’ skeptics in both Israel and the U.S. suspect Hamas is merely stalling, aiming to drag out negotiations. And this is the part most people miss: on Saturday, at Trump’s urging, Israel ordered a halt to its military operations in Gaza to prepare for the hostage release—though some strikes continued.
What sets this plan apart from past failures? Unlike previous ceasefires, this deal demands the immediate release of all Israeli hostages taken on October 7, 2023, and requires Hamas to surrender its weapons and governance role in Gaza. In return, Hamas members who disarm are promised amnesty. The plan blends earlier U.S. proposals with recent input from former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Notably, it remains intentionally vague on several contentious issues that have derailed past efforts. For instance, it outlines a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza but avoids setting a timeline, allowing Israel to maintain a ‘security perimeter presence’ indefinitely. It also suggests that Hamas’s rivals in the Palestinian Authority will eventually govern Gaza—a major shift for Israel—but only after a lengthy ‘reform program.’ In the interim, Gaza would be overseen by a provisional government under a ‘Board of Peace,’ chaired by Blair and supervised by Trump himself.
How much credit does Trump deserve? According to Axios [https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/scoop-how-an-israeli-attack-inadvertently-launched-trumps-gaza-peace-plan], the deal emerged from discussions between the Trump administration and Arab governments following Israel’s bombing of Qatar in September [https://www.vox.com/world-politics/460845/qatar-hamas-israel-gaza]. Arab nations reportedly pressured Hamas to accept the terms, and Trump allegedly made a ‘stern and clear’ call to Netanyahu to prevent Israel from rejecting or altering the deal. If the plan succeeds, Trump could rightfully claim significant credit—but that’s still a big ‘if.’
What’s next as we await the deal’s implementation? Negotiators from both sides are heading to Egypt this week to iron out the details. However, Hamas’s Friday statement omitted any mention of disarming—a critical demand for Israel. Additionally, Hamas may push for a more specific timetable for Israel’s withdrawal from central Gaza. This deal is far from finalized.
What’s the current situation in Gaza, and what would this deal mean for Palestinians? In August, parts of Gaza were officially declared under famine [https://www.vox.com/world-politics/459019/gaza-famine-ipc-israel], with over 20% of households facing extreme food shortages. Israel has ordered the evacuation of Gaza City, the enclave’s largest city, ahead of a renewed ground offensive. On Thursday, just before Hamas’s response, Israel blocked the main road into the city [https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-blocks-main-road-gaza-city-gives-residents-last-chance-leave-2025-10-02], preventing residents from returning. Over 400,000 people have fled in recent weeks, and Israel has warned that anyone remaining will be treated as enemy combatants. If the deal holds, the Gaza City operation would likely be called off. If it fails, Trump has pledged his full support for Israel to ‘finish the job’—eliminating Hamas by force, regardless of civilian or hostage casualties.
Here’s the bold question: Is this deal a genuine path to peace, or just another temporary bandage on a deep-rooted conflict? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s spark a conversation that matters.
