On October 12, 2025, Donald Trump declared that the war in Gaza was over. The US brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas marking a turning point in international affairs. All 20 Israeli hostages were returned alive on Monday as well as the roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The war had been going on for just over 2 years, starting on October 7th, 2023. Gaza’s health ministry stated that “over 67,600 Palestinians had been killed” during the war. Women and children make up more than half of that number. 

Countries across the world have had mixed responses to this news. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Trump is now “The greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” Palestinian authorities opposed  this treaty stating that “Nobody has the right to decide the future of the palestinian people without their consent”.

The war is over but its effects are still easily seen, especially in Gaza. There is widespread destruction, and the region is in the early stages of reconstruction.The people are still facing extreme hunger. Lots of people, especially children and pregnant women, are being treated at hospitals for extreme malnourishment.

Trump ending the war will likely help him gain  significant political attention although  recent poll data does not agree. Israel is incredibly thankful for Trump’s help although the people of the US don’t seem to support it as much.

The Ceasefire is in a very fragile spot and its long term stability will rely on Israel and Hamas’s ability to resolve all the terms of the ceasefire. For example, in the third stage, “Exchanging the bodies and remains of the dead from both sides after reaching them and identifying them.” If both sides accept the terms, we might see long term peace in the Middle East.

Sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-declares-end-israel-hamas-war-experts-hard/story?id=126482789https://

www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce86118q6ego