Trump declares end of Gaza war as final Israeli hostages freed and Palestinians released

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday declared an end to the two-year Gaza war after Hamas released the last living Israeli hostages under a ceasefire agreement, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees in a landmark prisoner swap.

The announcement marked the formal conclusion of one of the most devastating conflicts in the region’s history, which has claimed more than 68,000 Palestinian lives and left much of Gaza in ruins.

“The skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still — and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace,” Trump told the Knesset in Jerusalem, declaring the war “over” and calling the agreement “a long-awaited miracle for both Israelis and Palestinians.”

Hostages and detainees exchanged

The Israeli military confirmed receiving all 20 surviving hostages after their transfer by the Red Cross. Families waiting in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square erupted in tears and cheers as the last captives arrived.

In Gaza, thousands gathered outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis to welcome home prisoners released by Israel. Buses carrying freed detainees were met with emotional embraces, waving flags, and chants of victory.

According to Israeli officials, the released prisoners included 1,700 individuals detained during military operations in Gaza and another 250 held for alleged security offenses in Israeli prisons. Hamas also handed over four coffins containing the remains of deceased Israeli hostages.

Trump signs peace framework

Later Monday, Trump joined Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Sharm el-Sheikh for a summit attended by over 20 world leaders. Together with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, Trump signed a joint declaration pledging to “work collectively to implement and sustain this legacy.”

“Now the rebuilding begins,” Trump said, describing the agreement as “the greatest deal of them all.”

The summit focused on Gaza’s reconstruction, governance, and future security arrangements — though notably absent were delegations from Israel and Hamas. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas attended, renewing his call for the PA to take part in Gaza’s post-war administration.

Unresolved challenges

Despite the ceasefire, formidable challenges remain. Israel is still seeking the recovery of 26 hostage bodies believed to be buried in Gaza, while humanitarian agencies warn that hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians face famine and disease.

U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher urged immediate action to “get shelter, food, and fuel to people who desperately need it.”

Tensions however persist in the occupied West Bank, where settlement expansion and sporadic violence threaten to derail fragile peace efforts.

Regional impact and future prospects

The Gaza conflict reshaped Middle East dynamics, sparking regional clashes between Israel and Iran and drawing in allied groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. Trump said the end of the war could pave the way for a “broader peace,” even suggesting a potential normalization deal between Iran and Israel.

“Wouldn’t it be nice?” he told the Knesset. “This could be the beginning of a new era for the Middle East.”

For now, relief and grief coexist on both sides. In Israel, families of freed hostages celebrated amid tears. In Gaza, joy over returning prisoners was tempered by the immense human loss and destruction left behind.

As one woman in Khan Younis, Um Ahmed, told Reuters: “We are happy our sons are free — but Gaza still bleeds.”