Israel Policy Forum celebrates the agreement for the release of the Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza and the advancement of a deal to end the war that Hamas launched with its assault on Israeli border communities 733 days ago. We applaud President Trump and his administration for their leadership, which has been essential in reaching this critical achievement. We encourage sustained U.S. engagement with all parties on the difficult work ahead to bring all hostages back to Israel and advance the remaining phases of President Trump’s 20-point plan.
Reaching this initial deal is momentous, but the challenges ahead will be significant: securing the return of the living hostages and the remains of the deceased, the establishment of an interim international body to govern Gaza and oversee its reconstruction, the disarmament of Hamas, and the reformation of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in preparation for the PA’s ultimate return alongside Israeli withdrawals.
With sustained U.S. leadership and regional investment, this moment can be one that launches the region from crisis to opportunity: rekindled Israel-Arab diplomacy, a reformed Palestinian Authority with new, empowered, and legitimate leadership, an eventual expansion of the Abraham Accords that advances Israel’s integration in the Middle East, and the pursuit of a viable political horizon to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on two states. We urge the Trump administration to remain vigilant in seeing through each phase of this agreement and to prevent steps that would create new obstacles to achieving these critical objectives.
For now, we celebrate the planned return of the Israeli hostages, pray for the comfort of families receiving loved ones, and mourn with Israelis and Palestinians over the lives lost and suffering that was endured, and look forward with hope to a better future and the rebuilding of what has been shattered.