_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

President Donald Trump has finalized an end to the Israeli-Hamas war, winding down two years of conflict.

Hamas has agreed to turn over all the remaining hostages, and Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will also retreat to a pre-determined line of engagement, while not yet leaving Gaza.

The deal came about after intense pressure from the Trump administration on both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas to come to a deal.

_THE FACTS_

  • As part of the deal, Israel will release 1,700 Gaza prisoners captured since the war began and 250 Palestinians serving life sentences — some will be released into Palestinian-controlled areas, while others will be exiled.

  • Among them are terrorist leaders who orchestrated stabbings, bombings, and other deadly attacks.

  • Hamas will free all living Israeli hostages and return the bodies of the dead.

  • President Trump relied on envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to secure the agreement.

  • With Witkoff and Kushner present, Israel’s cabinet approved the deal — only religious-right ministers opposed.

  • Opposition leaders thanked Trump for brokering peace.

  • Trump later said he pressured Netanyahu to accept: “He was fine with it. He’s got to be fine with it. He has no choice.”

  • The Arab world also pushed Hamas to agree, with Qatar, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt issuing a joint statement of support.

  • The initial phase includes the hostage exchange and an IDF pullback — leaving Israel in control of roughly 53 percent of Gaza.

  • Hamas dropped its demand for a full Israeli withdrawal after Trump pledged the conflict wouldn’t resume.

  • Long-term peace remains uncertain: Israel demands Hamas disarm, while Hamas insists Israel leave Gaza entirely.

_INSIGHTS_

To secure Hamas' agreement, Iran's allies — Hezbollah and the Syrian regime under Bashar al-Assad — needed to be neutralized or significantly weakened, and Iran itself had to be subdued. These objectives were achieved over the past year.

At the same time, Israel was preparing a major offensive in Gaza City, and President Trump had made clear he would not stop Israel if Hamas did not agree to a peace deal. And with major powers in the region also backing the deal, the terrorist group had no choice.

The peace deal is an indisputable win for President Trump. If it brings home Israeli hostages and ends the war, it will solidify his legacy as a peacemaker.

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David Hooten1 year ago

While it may stop the terrorist control of the Gaza Strip, it will not stop the Islamists from continuing to wage terrorist strikes in other areas. Islam is not a religion of peace; it is based on statements, in the Quaran, of killing and subduing "the infidels" which are anyone that does not accept Islam. This is fact, not bias. Hopefully the people of Gaza, who have been victimized by the Hamas regime, can lead a more peaceful life just like the "Palestinians" or Muslims who live in Israel enjoy.

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James Coutu1 year ago

So truly right and well said

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Kate Devaney1 year ago

Lasting peace may be achieved with the Trump plan, but if Democrats regain power in our federal government the chance for Middle East peace will be obliterated along with peace in the United States.

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Jim L1 year ago

Who trusts Hamas? The 250 Palestinians and 1,700 Gaza prisoners are likely already plotting their next attacks.

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Jane Spring1 year ago

No peace but hostages home is worthy of rejoicing. There will never be peace for Israel until Jesus returns to Jerusalem. I believe the Bible. From the “river to the sea” is the land God promised Abraham.

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Michael Nathanson1 year ago

Sadly, this will not change Hamas or their objectives. They are among the most crooked and deceptive of all. They are simply waiting for a more favorable time to regroup and reinitiate their agenda.

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Dennis Marchant1 year ago

I hope so but remember we are dealing with Hamas, the epitome of evil. They will never give up as long as there are innocent civilians they can murder. I fear they are just biding their time.

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Laney B1 year ago

"This deal" has not yet been achieved. No hostages have been returned yet. The celebrations were premature, since Gazhamas is not an honorable people. In fact, it is part of islam to lie to "infidels".

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sharon smith1 year ago

NO! The Arab countries will bide their time, picking up where they left off after Trump and his believers have left office. Could be 20 yrs down the road, even 50 but be assured, the fighting in that part of the world will not be quelled for long.... it's in their DNA!!

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Kevin Sargent1 year ago

Not their DNA, which proper teachings and guardianship could overcome, but it's in their Religion, Taught / Programmed in from infancy. So long as Islam as a "religion" is tolerated, there will NEVER be worldwide peace. Any "religion" that holds a primary tenet of eradicating "infidels" inherently Cannot coexist with any other. Those with Faith know how this'll go.

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Terry Dash1 year ago

There will be no lasting peace. Hamas will not stop until Israel is no more. Since that will never be, the conflict will never stop.

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Ang Palm1 year ago

I have my doubts about any “lasting” peace. So many Islamic Palestinians have been brainwashed from birth to hate and kill Jews and Infidels. The Islamic goal is to conquer/convert all nations to Islam and Sharia law. They will never stop this “religious” tirade. Only rest and regroup for the next target.

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Don G1 year ago

No. While peace may stand for awhile, there is to much hatred in the region for lasting peace. Biblically peace is not now possible in the future.

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William Richardson1 year ago

I’m skeptical, but time will tell. What’s baffling about the Palestinians is their “death wish” aggression towards Israel. They could have had peace and possibly their own state a long time ago had they perused a peaceful solution. Palestinians are totally responsible for their own circumstances. “Violence begets violence.” Only the Palestinians can determine their own fate. Israel has always wanted peace.

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Patricia Campbell1 year ago

I'm skeptical. Islamists never keep their word, they just retreat, rearm, scheme, then surface again. Just getting the hostages released is worth taking the chance.

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Allen Phillips1 year ago

Hamas will have to disarm which will be the sticking point. Maybe Yogi said it best - "It ain't over til its over."

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James McBride1 year ago

Success will require regime change in Iran. Sorry, but it will.

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Than Johnson1 year ago

History would indicate that violence will continue in the Middle East and aggression towards Israel will exist. The chairs have changed in that current leadership in Syria and Iran may not be supportive of terrorist group in Lebanon and Gaza, but a new generation of terrorists in both of those location will develop as a result of the campaigns Israel had to take in killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and sympathizers.

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Terry McCall1 year ago

As long as evil exists on this planet there will be no lasting peace. The George Soroses of the world won't allow it.

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Magvitum1 year ago

There is no civilized dealings possible with barbarian Hamas. So after the Israelis come home there will not be peace as it would be among civilized countries. But at least --hopefully-- the prisoners will come home. What has to happen afterwards is to find a way to completely destroy hamas.

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Kevin Sargent1 year ago

I'll suggest the Real plan was to get the hostages back, but more importantly, recognize how Oct 7 was carried out. So Two Fold: setup the means to detect / defend another attack (Not an If but When) And have the means in place to Truly Commit Genocide, because They'll have EARNED IT, Detractors POUND SAND !!

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Jennifer Vaughn1 year ago

No. While I pray that the Israeli hostages actually do go home this time, Hamas has lied about that in the past too. And the number of terrorists that will be set free to start all over again is astounding.

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Stefan Cameron1 year ago

Unfortunately, I don't think so. Hopefully for a while, but terrorists are terrorists.

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Jim Bird1 year ago

No, Hamas will fabricate any reasoning to return to their deceptive ways.

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Jane Braun1 year ago

Agreed. They are the true face, arm, hand, heart of EVIL. Don't trust them. But for a moments peace, Thank you Father God and President Trump.

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Jorge Rios1 year ago

Different groups in that part of the world have been trying to destroy or kill each other for centuries, there is nothing to indicate that there will be any kind of lasting change.

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Dave Brooks1 year ago

No, the demonically inspired Islamists supporting Hamas will never disarm. Disarmament and lasting peace will not come until the Prince of Peace comes.

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Jim Powers1 year ago

Terror groups may stand down temporarily but it won’t last for long. Islamists can’t stand or Israel and Jews to exist.

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Than Johnson1 year ago

Yes, it’s a victory for US diplomacy. Bringing the hostage home is victory. Now the 2nd hardiest task begins. The future of Gaza. How it will governed? How to keep it from being another terrorist occupied state? How to prevent those negatively impacted Palestinians from being the next terrorists aligned group. What will Lebanon look like in the future since it still harbors a military presences of Hezbollah? Reaching a peaceful solution with Syria to protect various religious groups in that country and keep Iran from re-establishing its effluence over Syrian rule. How to keep Communist Russia from using this situation to its benefit.
Now on to a victory for Ukraine and further reducing Russia communistic efforts.

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