Tel Aviv, 10 October 2025 — Crowds filled Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Thursday afternoon, hours after the Israeli military confirmed that a ceasefire with Hamas had officially begun at 12:00 p.m. local time (0900 GMT). The agreement, brokered with international mediation, has raised cautious hopes for de-escalation after months of devastating conflict.
Terms of the Agreement
Under the deal’s first phase:
- Hamas will release 20 living Israeli hostages within the next 72 hours.
- In return, Israel will free 250 Palestinians serving long-term sentences in its prisons.
- A further 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza during the war will also be released.
- Israeli forces have begun a partial withdrawal from parts of Gaza, though the military has stressed it will maintain defensive positions.
Public Reaction
In Tel Aviv, families of hostages and supporters gathered in Hostages Square, holding photographs and candles in anticipation of the releases. Many expressed relief but also uncertainty, noting that previous temporary truces had collapsed before being fully implemented.
Across Gaza, residents cautiously welcomed the pause, with reports of people emerging from shelters to access food and water. Aid agencies said the ceasefire could allow for a surge in humanitarian deliveries, though logistical challenges remain.
Thousands of displaced Palestinians started streaming back towards their abandoned homes as the ceasefire went into effect and Israeli troops began pulling back.
International Context
The ceasefire forms part of a broader U.S.-backed peace framework, with Egypt and Qatar playing key roles in negotiations. While the agreement has been hailed as a breakthrough, unresolved issues — including Hamas’s future role in Gaza and the question of disarmament — continue to cast doubt on the long-term stability of the truce.
Outlook
The coming days will be critical in determining whether the deal holds. The release of hostages and prisoners is expected to serve as a litmus test for both sides’ commitment to the agreement. For many Israelis and Palestinians, the ceasefire offers a fragile but vital moment of respite in a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Sources: Reuters; Associated Press; Times of Israel; CBS News CBS News The Times of Israel CNBC.
