After two years of war, President Trump revealed a 20-point peace deal. The peace plan outlined the release of hostages for prisoners, dismantling weapons and the rebuilding of Gaza. The lingering question remains: how long can this fragile peace truly last?
The tension between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Territories dates back almost 80 years. Following 2007, when Hamas militants took complete control of Gaza, the future for Palestinians living there changed dramatically. Despite Israel completely exiting Gaza in 2005, their strong military forces, the Israel Defense Force, remained stationed on the borders separating Gaza and the West Bank from Israel.
The realities of October 7th, 2023
1,195 people dead, 251 hostages abducted, 379 Israeli security force members murdered, 364 people killed at the Nova music festival, 4,300 plus rockets fired into Israel and more than 6,000 Hamas militants breached the border in 119 locations.
Hamas raided through Israel, murdering, raping, bombing, shooting and destroying the lives of countless innocent civilians. 251 Israelis were taken hostage to Gaza. The State of Israel as a whole watched in real time the kidnappings streamed across social media.
Ceasefires and negotiations
At the end of November 2023, a four-day ceasefire marked the first major breakthrough in negotiations, resulting in the release of 106 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. In the long months that followed — from November 2023 to January 2025 — there were no additional ceasefires. During this time, several hostages were rescued through high-risk IDF operations, while many Israeli bodies were recovered from Gaza and returned home for burial. In January 2025, another deal led to the release of 33 hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 prisoners and militants. In the months that followed, fewer than ten hostages were freed alive, as recovery efforts increasingly shifted from rescue to retrieval. According to AP News “Israeli troops have recovered the bodies of at least 20 hostages from Gaza, according to Israeli government figures.”
Freeing the Last Living Hostages
On October 13, 2025, the last living hostages held in Gaza were released. These 20 individuals were starved and tortured for 738 days. On top of the 20 released alive, Hamas agreed to release 28 more deceased hostages as part of the peace deal. In return, Israel released 2000 more prisoners.
Although there are no more rockets flying overhead and no more sirens sounding, what does this mean for the Middle East as a whole?
The scale of destruction across Gaza is one of the most visible outcomes of the war. According to the Middle East Institute, “Israeli leaders insist that such destruction is not intentional but is unavoidable given Hamas’ use of ‘human shields’ and the fact that the militant group has embedded itself among the civilian population and routinely operates from civilian structures like hospitals and schools.” As a result, civilians have endured the consequences of war within their own neighborhoods. Part of the peace deal outlines the surge in aid that will be provided to Gaza. Rebuilding the region isn’t just about infrastructure —it’s about restoring a sense of identity and hope for the Palestinian people.
The return of the Israeli hostages and the promise of a ceasefire should mean safety and security for Israel from its neighbors and surrounding countries. However, the feeling of uncertainty still runs deep. The world preaches not to let history repeat itself, yet from October 7th, 2023 to now, it’s proved it can. Global reactions to Israel’s actions have been shaped by its long-standing relationships and the complex history tied to its identity as a Jewish state. After the tragedies of October 7th, Israel will never be the same and the fight against antisemitism is ongoing.
As the rise in antisemitism leaves Jews fighting to exist, we can not overlook the innocent lives of Palestinians. Lasting peace depends on defending the innocent on both sides and rejecting hatred that fuels this conflict.
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