Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the agreement with Hamas, which provides for the release of 48 Israeli hostages, as a “diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.” “With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will return home,” Netanyahu wrote in a statement shortly after US President Donald Trump announced that Hamas had agreed to the plan.

“From the outset, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages have returned and all our goals have been achieved,” he continued. Israel reached this “decisive turning point” through “unwavering determination, powerful military action, and the remarkable efforts of our friend and ally, President Trump.” Netanyahu thanked Trump for “his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and the freedom of our hostages.” He concluded: “God bless Israel. God bless America. God bless our great alliance.”

The agreement is considered the first phase of a comprehensive plan to end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas, triggered by the terror organization’s attack on October 7, 2023. The formal signing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Under the terms of the agreement, the 48 Israeli hostages, held in Gaza for over 730 days, are to be released within 72 hours of the signing. Israeli authorities are preparing for their return as early as this weekend.

In return, Israel will release a number of Palestinian prisoners, including individuals involved in the murder of Israeli civilians. A phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the Gaza Strip is also planned.

President Isaac Herzog stated that the agreement would bring “moments of indescribable relief for the families who have not known peace for 733 days.” “This is a morning of historic and significant news,” Herzog wrote, adding that the agreement offers “a chance for healing, reconciliation, and a new perspective of hope for our region.”

He called for honoring “the heroes among us—our sons and daughters who fought bravely to bring the hostages home, the wounded in body and soul, and all those who paid an immeasurable price for this historic moment.” Herzog added that there is “no doubt” that President Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

This is a morning of historic and momentous news.

I give my full support for the agreement reached in Egypt. I express my thanks to Prime Minister @Netanyahu and the negotiating team, the mediators, and all those involved in this vital effort.

I wish to extend my deepest…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 9, 2025

Defense Minister Israel Katz, who visited Israeli troops in the Sabra area of Gaza on Thursday morning, stated that he now sees “exactly why the Hamas leadership is pushing for an end to the war.” “I have seen the power of our offensive and the changed reality with my own eyes,” Katz wrote. “Well done to our brave soldiers—regular and reserve—for their dedication, determination, and sacrifice that led to this great success.”

Knesset member Simcha Rothman from the Religious Zionism party—one of the deal’s sharpest critics—wrote: “Now is the time to laugh and dance, in the hope of the imminent release of all hostages, and to pray that this hope becomes reality.” At the same time, he cautioned: “If the agreement is fully implemented and Israel’s freedom of action to eliminate security threats is preserved, then our situation will be better than before.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid thanked President Trump in an English-language post: “We are waiting for our children with bated breath.” In a Hebrew post, he honored Israel’s security forces, “the heroes who acted on the morning of October 7 and have not rested since—in their mission to defend the country and bring the hostages home.”

We are waiting for our children with bated breath🎗️

Thank you @POTUS Trump!

— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) October 9, 2025

Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, spoke of a “morning of hope and anticipation for the return of our brothers and sisters after two years in hell.” He thanked Trump “for his tremendous efforts and uncompromising commitment to bringing all hostages back and ensuring Israel’s security,” as well as Netanyahu and the political leadership “for the right decision to accept the President’s plan.”

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, wrote: “Together with the entire people of Israel, we rejoice in anticipation of the return of all our hostages. A morning full of hope and joy.” He congratulated Trump “for his leadership and efforts in bringing about the agreement.”

From the left, Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats party, stated: “Now is the time to press forward with full force to ensure they truly return. After two long years of pain and struggle, there is finally hope.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said in a television interview that Jerusalem hopes the agreement “will end the two-year war with Hamas on Israel’s southern border. This is the first phase of an important plan presented by the President, and we hope it leads to a complete end to hostilities and the reconstruction of Gaza—in the interest of the Palestinians as well as Israel.”

He confirmed that, as part of the agreement, Israel will “release many terrorists,” including “several who murdered Israeli civilians.” This release must be approved by the cabinet; only then will the 72-hour period for the hostage release begin. “This would not have happened without our military pressure on Hamas,” Leiter emphasized. “The fact that we are now at the gates of Gaza City and ready to complete any military step brought Hamas to the negotiating table.”

Joy at the hostage square in Tel Aviv after the announcement of the release of hostages, October 9, 2025. Photo: Miriam Alster/Flash90.

For many Israelis, the agreement is a sign of hope after two years of war, loss, and uncertainty. Netanyahu speaks of a “moral victory” because Israel has shown it can act both strongly and humanely. With the expected return of the hostages in the coming days, Israel is experiencing a moment of national relief—and gratitude toward the soldiers, diplomats, and international partners who made this step possible. However, the political and security situation remains fragile: whether this historic moment marks the beginning of new stability or merely a pause in a long conflict will become clear in the coming weeks.

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