Under the initial phase of the deal, Hamas released all remaining Israeli hostages, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The images that followed — Israeli families running to hug their loved ones and Palestinians waving flags to welcome those freed from prisons — carried a rare emotional symmetry. For both peoples, this moment represented not only relief but the rediscovery of something even more fragile and powerful: hope.

President Trump’s Historic Visit

Minutes after the first reunions, U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Tel Aviv, declaring before the Israeli Knesset that “a new and beautiful day is rising.” His words resonated across a region that has endured two years of devastation in Gaza — a war that left cities in ruins, displaced millions, and tested every known limit of human endurance.

From Israel, Trump flew to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where leaders from over twenty nations gathered for what may prove to be one of the most consequential peace summits in modern history. Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States signed a declaration guaranteeing the ceasefire, signaling the global commitment to ensuring that this truce is not just another temporary pause but the foundation of lasting peace.

A Moment of Unity

At the summit, the world witnessed something few would have imagined two years ago — Muslim and Western leaders, regional rivals, and global powers sitting at one table, united in the belief that peace in Gaza could ignite a broader transformation across the Middle East.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Delivers Powerful Address

Among the most notable voices was that of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who delivered a deeply emotional and statesmanlike address, thanking President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for their relentless diplomatic efforts. Sharif went further, announcing that Pakistan would once again nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize — not only for his success in brokering the Gaza ceasefire but also for his past interventions that helped avert conflicts between India and Pakistan.

The 20-Point Peace Plan

The peace plan — a detailed 20-point roadmap — envisions Gaza’s gradual reconstruction and a new political framework. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to play a leading role in overseeing the transitional phase, during which a technocratic Palestinian administration would manage day-to-day governance before power is eventually transferred to a reformed Palestinian Authority.

Voices of Hope and Pain

For Palestinians, the sight of their loved ones stepping off Red Cross buses — gaunt but free — stirred both joy and pain. “Honestly, the happiness and joy are indescribable,” said one man in Ramallah. “Despite the suffering, today we came to celebrate.”

For Israelis, the homecoming of those held captive brought an emotional release after months of anguish. Families clung to one another, crying not only for what they had regained but for what had been lost.

And for the world, this was a moment of shared relief — a glimpse of what humanity can achieve when courage, leadership, and faith in dialogue prevail over the politics of division.

The Road Ahead

The challenges ahead are immense. Years of mistrust, political fragmentation, and the sheer magnitude of rebuilding Gaza could test even the most determined peace advocates. Yet, Monday’s events carried the unmistakable aura of a turning point.

The road ahead will not be easy. But for Israelis, Palestinians, and all those who believe in the power of peace, this moment will be remembered as the day when the long and painful nightmare finally began to end — and a new dawn broke over Gaza.