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Israel-Hamas war

Israelis and Palestinians embrace cautious optimism as Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire

Israel and Hamas have reached a breakthrough ceasefire agreement brokered by the US and mediated by Qatar and Egypt to end the two-year conflict in Gaza. Israelis and Palestinians are hopeful for progress. The World’s Shirin Jaafari and Matthew Bell report on reactions from both sides.

The World

An Israeli woman in Tel Aviv holds up a sign that reads, “We Trump.”

Courtesy of Tovah Lazaroff

Large crowds of people gathered for celebrations in Israel and the Gaza Strip as the Israeli government and Hamas agreed to elements of a 20-point ceasefire plan on Wednesday that was introduced by US President Donald Trump.

Israelis in Tel Aviv celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Oct. 9, 2025.Courtesy of Tovah Lazaroff

Under the agreement, Hamas has agreed to release the remaining 48 Israeli hostages who were abducted on Oct. 7, 2023 — about half of whom are believed to still be alive — in exchange for 250 Palestinians serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 people detained from Gaza over the past two years since the current war began. The deal is also meant to see a withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and the entry of aid into the besieged enclave.

Palestinians celebrate following the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 9, 2025.Jehad Alshrafi/AP

Israelis and Palestinians are approaching the news of the breakthrough with cautious optimism. Click below to hear some reactions.

Israel Berman is from a kibbutz that was attacked on Oct. 7, 2023:

Saud Abusada is a Palestinian resident from the Gaza Strip:

Negotiations for the ceasefire took place at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, advanced by the US and mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Israeli Cabinet ministers convened on Wednesday night to agree to the terms.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, second right, meets with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, second left, and Jared Kushner, left, at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 9, 2025.Egyptian Presidency Media Office via AP

Trump has said the return of Israeli hostages will take place early next week.

Israel’s two-year ground and air campaign in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 67,000 people, with nearly a third of the dead under the age of 18, according to Palestinian health officials.

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Oct. 9, 2025, following the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting.Ariel Schalit/AP

Click on the blue player above to hear reports from The World’s Shirin Jaafari and Matthew Bell.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Oct. 9, 2025, in Washington.Evan Vucci/AP

Shirin talks to Palestinians who are awaiting the start of the truce with a mix of joy, anxiety and mourning.

Palestinians celebrate following the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting, outside Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Oct. 9, 2025. Celebrations remain limited, as relief is mixed with mourning and concern for what comes next.Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Matthew Bell speaks with Israelis who are anticipating the return of their hostages.

An Israeli man plays the national anthem on a piano in Tel Aviv after the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Oct. 9, 2025.Courtesy of Tovah Lazaroff
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