Trump Declares End to Gaza War as Hamas Releases Final Group of Hostages | WPN World People News

After two years of conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump officially announced the end of the Gaza War on the 13th. According to the ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the final group of Israeli hostages, while Israel released a number of Palestinian prisoners. Families on both sides reunited with their loved ones in Tel Aviv and Gaza, creating emotional scenes.

According to foreign media reports, the Israeli military confirmed that 20 hostages were safely returned across the border by the Red Cross. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv’s "Hostage Square" to celebrate—waving national flags and shedding tears of joy. Similar crowds gathered in Gaza, where around 2,000 freed prisoners arrived at hospitals. Locals chanted slogans such as “Freedom” and “The war is over.”

In a speech before the Israeli parliament, Trump declared: “The skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens have stopped, and the sun rises over a land returning to peace.” He described the agreement—brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—as “one of the greatest peace deals in history.”

The agreement includes the release of hostages by Hamas, the release of prisoners by Israel, and the suspension of certain military operations. Following the announcement, Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hosted a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Red Sea resort city, bringing together more than 20 world leaders to discuss the future governance, security, and reconstruction of Gaza. However, neither Israel nor Hamas attended the summit, and notable absences included Saudi Arabia and the UAE—raising concerns over the agreement’s long-term viability.

Since the war broke out in October 2023, over 68,000 people have died in Gaza during the two-year conflict. The 20 hostages released were the last surviving captives from the 251 Israelis abducted during Hamas’s initial assault. An additional 26 hostages have been confirmed dead, with two still missing.

International humanitarian organizations warn that Gaza is facing extreme shortages of food, medical supplies, and fuel, putting hundreds of thousands of residents at risk. Major unresolved challenges remain, including whether Hamas will disarm, the future governance of Gaza, and ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank. These issues will deeply impact the trajectory of the peace process.