Understanding the Gaza Ceasefire: A Simple Guide

The ceasefire is just the first step in a much larger 20-point peace plan, and huge disagreements still exist between the two sides. The core of the conflict is a clash between the fundamental demands of both Israelis and Palestinians.

By RMN News Service
October 14, 2025 

1. Introduction: A Pause in a Long Conflict

After two years of a difficult and devastating war, a significant agreement called a ceasefire has finally been reached. In a conflict that seemed endless, this pause represents a “glimmer of hope” for a lasting peace. Following the announcement, emotional scenes of families being reunited after years of separation were broadcast around the world. This article will break down the most important parts of this historic event to help you understand what happened and what might come next.

This breakthrough was made possible through the direct involvement of a key international leader.

2. The Key Player: Who Made This Deal Happen?

The central figure who brokered this momentous deal was US President Donald Trump. In a move that surprised many experts, his direct and personal involvement helped break a long diplomatic stalemate. Upon arriving in Israel just as the agreement took effect, Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset (its parliament), declaring a “historic dawn in a new Middle East.” His speech was so impactful that some Israeli politicians were heard chanting his name.

From Jerusalem, Trump flew to a major summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he met with over 20 world leaders to build international support for the agreement. It was at this summit that four key countries—the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—signed a declaration to act as “guarantors” of the deal. Their role is to provide an international framework to help maintain this fragile peace. But beyond the high-level politics, the ceasefire had an immediate and powerful effect on the lives of ordinary people.

3. A Mix of Joy and Sadness: The Human Side of the Ceasefire

The first phase of the agreement involved an exchange of prisoners and hostages, leading to powerful and emotional reunions. In Gaza and the West Bank, large crowds celebrated as buses arrived carrying Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails. However, this joy was mixed with sorrow, as many of those released appeared “pale and gaunt,” a visible sign of their long ordeal.

On the Israeli side, there was a similar mix of celebration and sorrow. While some families celebrated the return of their loved ones, others expressed outrage. This was because Hamas returned the bodies of only four deceased hostages, leaving the remains of up to 24 others in Gaza and their families in an agonizing limbo. But why was this ceasefire so desperately needed?

4. Why Now? The Staggering Cost of the War

This ceasefire became possible because of the staggering human and physical cost of the war. The following statistics help paint a picture of the immense devastation that created the urgency for a diplomatic breakthrough.

• Duration: The war lasted for two years.
• Start of Conflict: It began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people.
• Gaza Death Toll: Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed more than 67,000 people, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
• Destruction in Gaza: According to the UN, more than 9 in 10 residential buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.

The immense scale of this loss created intense pressure on both sides to finally make a deal, turning the devastation into a catalyst for diplomacy. Now that the fighting has paused, the hardest work is just beginning.

5. What’s Next? The Difficult Path to a Lasting Peace

The ceasefire is just the first step in a much larger 20-point peace plan, and huge disagreements still exist between the two sides. The core of the conflict is a clash between the fundamental demands of both Israelis and Palestinians.

This fundamental disagreement shows up in several key “sticking points” that negotiators must now try to resolve:

• The timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
• The disarmament of Hamas.
• The future governance of the Gaza Strip.

Each of these disagreements is a direct reflection of the core conflict between Israel’s demand for security and the Palestinian demand for sovereignty. One proposed solution is the creation of a U.S.-chaired “Board of Peace”—an oversight body that could potentially include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair—to supervise Gaza’s governance before an eventual transfer of power to a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA). However, this roadmap faces strong opposition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back against any future PA involvement, while Hamas has rejected foreign governance and stated it will not disarm without the establishment of a Palestinian state. This sets the stage for very difficult negotiations ahead.

6. Conclusion: A Historic Moment or a Temporary Pause?

The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., is a major diplomatic success that has stopped a catastrophic war for now, bringing profound relief to countless families. It proves that even in the most difficult conflicts, diplomacy can create a path forward.

However, the foundational disagreements over security, governance, and sovereignty that have fueled this conflict for generations remain unresolved. As the world watches, negotiators face the immense challenge of turning this pause into a permanent peace. This raises a critical question: Does this moment truly represent the “historic dawn” President Trump proclaimed, or is it a fragile pause in a generational conflict?