Trump Signs Historic Gaza Peace Deal Amid Hostage Exchange

In a significant development for Middle East diplomacy, US President Donald Trump signed a landmark peace agreement for Gaza on Monday during a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This agreement, part of Trump's 20-point peace plan, coincided with a hostage-prisoner exchange, marking a hopeful turn in a conflict that has persisted for decades. The deal was reached just three days after a ceasefire was established and Israeli forces withdrew to a pre-determined line.

The agreement was brokered by the US, with Egypt and Qatar acting as mediators between Israel and Hamas. It includes the release of all living hostages held by Hamas, the return of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Egypt's foreign minister emphasized the importance of fully implementing the first phase of the deal to facilitate further negotiations.

As of Monday evening, all living hostages had returned to Israel, but the remains of many deceased captives were still in Gaza. The next phases of the plan will tackle complex issues such as Gaza's governance post-war, Israel's demand for Hamas to disarm, and Palestinian aspirations for statehood, which the current Israeli government opposes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Gaza would be demilitarized, asserting, "Hamas will disarm and Gaza will be demilitarised. If this can be achieved the easy way, all the better; if not, it will be achieved the hard way."

The peace plan also envisions an international body to govern Gaza, with Palestinian technocrats managing daily affairs, excluding Hamas and other factions. The plan acknowledges the aspiration for an independent Palestinian state, but the timeline for discussions on statehood remains uncertain.

Trump, during the signing ceremony, expressed optimism, stating, "After years of suffering and bloodshed, the war in Gaza is over. Humanitarian aid is now pouring in... It’s so beautiful to see a new and beautiful day rising, and now the rebuilding begins." He highlighted the significance of the moment, saying, "This took 3,000 years to get to this point. Can you believe it? It is going to hold up."

The reconstruction of Gaza poses a major challenge, with estimates suggesting that at least Rs 4,000 crore will be needed to rebuild the territory. Egypt plans to host a future conference to address these reconstruction efforts. While the initial steps have been taken, the fragile nature of the agreement raises concerns about the future of peace in the region.