'It's not peace yet': Experts react after Trump declares Israel-Hamas war is over
Original story by: ABC News
Last updated: Oct 14, 2025
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- Context: President Donald Trump declared the Israel-Hamas war over following the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. This event is presented as the initial step in Trump's 20-point plan for regional peace, with speeches by Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi highlighting commitment to the proposal.
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- Detailed Summary:
- The release of the remaining living Israeli hostages from Gaza and over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners by Israel marks the first phase of Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan.
- Trump, speaking to the Israeli parliament, characterized the event as an end to an age of terror and the beginning of an era of peace and hope for the region.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed commitment to the peace process and thanked Trump for his leadership in brokering a proposal that secured international backing, achieved the return of hostages, and ended the war by meeting objectives.
- A peace summit was held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, co-chaired by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, where the ceasefire proposal was officially signed. El-Sisi praised Trump for brokering a deal beneficial to the entire region and ushering in a new era of peace.
- Middle East experts, including former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney, caution that despite the initial successes, the process of achieving lasting peace is just beginning and involves many difficult next steps.
- Key challenges remain, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, Hamas ceding control, disarmament of the militant group, and the establishment of an international trusteeship for Gaza's governance.
- Javid Ali, a former National Security Council official, highlighted the difficulty in demilitarizing Hamas and noted the ongoing uncertainty regarding oversight of this process.
- Trump suggested to reporters that Hamas might be permitted to act as a Palestinian police force in Gaza for a period, citing their losses and the need to prevent further issues.
- Historical examples of rebel groups like the Irish Republican Army and FARC demobilizing after long conflicts were cited as precedents for the challenges ahead in ensuring fighters lay down arms and capabilities are removed.
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