Do you believe the new Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas will hold?
Israel and Hamas Sign Gaza Ceasefire as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
On October 9, 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to a first-phase ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange deal as part of a U.S.-backed 20-point peace initiative. Under the agreement, Israel will withdraw from parts of Gaza while releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages. This comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 54,000 children under five are acutely malnourished and over 90% of homes are damaged or destroyed. The ceasefire still requires ratification from both Israeli leadership and Hamas, but global reactions suggest cautious optimism. Protests, international diplomacy, and aid appeals have intensified in response to both the humanitarian devastation and the fragile truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated a desire for Israel to take full military control of Gaza without direct governance, raising questions about long-term outcomes. Whether this agreement marks a genuine turning point or a temporary pause remains deeply contested.
Options
- Yes, it's a step toward peace
- No, fighting will resume
- Maybe, but too early to tell
- I don't know enough to say