October 9 , 2025 : In a major breakthrough toward restoring peace in the Middle East, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to establish a ceasefire and end the ongoing war in Gaza.
President Sisi confirmed that Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, played a central role in mediating the long-awaited truce. The agreement marks a critical step toward halting months of violence that has caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction in Gaza.
According to Egyptian officials, the ceasefire will include a complete halt to airstrikes, rocket attacks, and ground operations from both sides. Humanitarian aid and medical supplies will also begin entering Gaza immediately after the truce takes effect.
The Egyptian President stated, “We have reached an understanding that will ensure a complete ceasefire and pave the way for peace talks. Egypt remains committed to ending the suffering of civilians on both sides.”
Background of the Conflict
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated nearly a year ago following cross-border attacks that led to a cycle of retaliatory strikes. Thousands of people, including civilians, were displaced, and infrastructure across Gaza suffered massive damage.
Over the past months, several rounds of negotiations failed to yield results due to disagreements over key terms — including prisoner exchanges, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the rebuilding of Gaza.
However, growing international pressure and worsening humanitarian conditions pushed both sides to reconsider. Reports suggest that the latest agreement includes a roadmap for the release of hostages and prisoners, as well as measures to allow reconstruction and aid distribution under international supervision.
Reactions from Around the World
The announcement of the ceasefire has been welcomed by leaders across the globe.
- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called it “a vital first step toward long-term peace and stability in the region.”
- U.S. President Joe Biden praised Egypt and Qatar for their mediation efforts and urged both sides to fully respect the ceasefire terms.
- The European Union emphasized the importance of continuing diplomatic dialogue to ensure that this truce leads to “a permanent resolution and not just a temporary pause.”
In Israel, government officials confirmed that security agencies were informed about the terms of the ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the agreement was reached after “careful consideration of national security concerns and humanitarian needs.”
On the other hand, Hamas representatives in Doha said the ceasefire represents “a victory for the Palestinian people” and vowed to continue working toward lifting the blockade on Gaza.
Humanitarian Outlook
For the residents of Gaza, the ceasefire brings a long-awaited moment of relief. The region has been facing a severe shortage of food, clean water, and electricity. Hospitals have been overwhelmed, and thousands of families have been displaced from their homes.
Humanitarian organizations, including the Red Crescent and UNICEF, have already begun preparing to deliver emergency supplies and medical aid. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) announced that it would coordinate international efforts to rebuild damaged schools and hospitals.
Despite the optimism, diplomats caution that maintaining the truce will require mutual restraint and continued international oversight. Previous ceasefires between Israel and Hamas have often collapsed due to renewed hostilities or political disputes.
Next Steps Toward Peace
Egyptian officials confirmed that follow-up talks are scheduled to take place in Cairo next week. These discussions will focus on implementing the ceasefire framework, initiating prisoner exchanges, and planning for Gaza’s reconstruction.
Analysts say this ceasefire could serve as a foundation for a broader regional peace plan, potentially involving other Arab nations and the international community.
For now, both sides have agreed to stop all military actions immediately, allowing civilians to return to some sense of normalcy after months of intense conflict.
Summary
Egypt announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, ending months of war in Gaza. The truce includes halting attacks and allowing humanitarian aid to enter immediately.