Ceasefire Begins in Gaza as Hostage Release Underway and Palestinians Return to Devastation
October 12, 2025
A fragile but hopeful ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has taken effect, marking a critical turning point in the year-long conflict that has devastated Gaza and shaken Israeli society. As families on both sides of the border brace for what comes next, the world watches closely to see whether this deal — brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial Middle East peace plan — will hold.
Gaza Ceasefire Begins Amid Historic Hostage Release Plan
The ceasefire officially went into effect at 12:00 p.m. local time Friday (5 a.m. Eastern), initiating the first phase of what President Trump’s administration calls a “comprehensive roadmap to peace.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas has 72 hours to release all remaining Israeli hostages, a figure that currently stands at 48 individuals, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Of those, Israeli officials say 20 are believed to be alive.
In exchange, Israel has agreed to release several hundred Palestinian prisoners and permit immediate, full humanitarian aid into Gaza — a territory crippled by famine, infrastructure collapse, and severe medical shortages.
A Return to Ruins: Palestinians Navigate the Aftermath
As the ceasefire took hold, thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to northern Gaza, many for the first time in months. The scenes were devastating. Residents searched through rubble for missing loved ones and remnants of their homes.
The United Nations has warned of an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, describing parts of the enclave as “beyond famine” levels, with access to food, water, and basic healthcare virtually non-existent.
Trump to Visit Israel Monday to Mark Ceasefire Agreement
President Trump, who has cast this deal as the centerpiece of his renewed foreign policy doctrine, is expected to visit Israel on Monday. According to senior U.S. officials, Trump will address the Israeli Knesset to mark the agreement and celebrate the return of hostages.
This visit will be his first to the region since resuming the presidency in January 2025.
During a televised panel Friday night, former Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice both expressed cautious optimism over the deal. Speaking with CBS News correspondent Norah O’Donnell, they praised the Trump administration’s success in brokering a ceasefire that many had considered unlikely, if not impossible.
Hostages Square Rally: Praise for Trump, Silence for Netanyahu
In Tel Aviv’s now-iconic Hostages Square, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff addressed thousands of Israelis gathered for an emotional rally Saturday night. It was the largest gathering since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its surprise attack into southern Israel.
Witkoff stood alongside Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, delivering a speech that drew chants of “Thank you, Trump! Thank you, Witkoff!” from the crowd.
“When courage meets conviction, miracles can happen,” Witkoff said, referencing the breakthrough in hostage negotiations. He described President Trump as a “humanitarian through and through,” emphasizing the administration’s belief that strength and peace are not opposites — they are partners.
Kushner echoed Witkoff’s sentiments, telling the crowd,
“I couldn’t be prouder to be a friend of Israel, somebody who supports Israel and somebody who fights very strongly to see Israel survive, succeed, and achieve its fullest potential.”
The mood turned tense, however, when the name of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was mentioned. According to CBS News’ team on the ground, the crowd booed in response — signaling public frustration over the government’s handling of the war and hostage crisis.
Looking Ahead: Can the Ceasefire Hold?
Though the ceasefire is being hailed by some as a major diplomatic breakthrough, analysts warn it is fragile. Any violations by either side — or complications in the prisoner and hostage exchange process — could trigger renewed violence.
The coming days will be crucial. The first group of hostages is expected to be released within hours, with U.S. officials closely monitoring every step of the process.
As the world watches and families wait, one thing is certain: this weekend marks a rare moment of hope amid heartbreak, in a region where such moments are few and fleeting.
