The 2025 Gaza Ceasefire and the Board of Peace
Quick answer · ~120 words
The 2025 Gaza ceasefire marked a turning point after years of conflict sparked by Hamas's attacks on October 7, 2023. Israel, acting in self-defence to protect its citizens and eliminate terrorist threats, worked closely with international partners to secure an agreement that brought hostages home and opened the door to lasting stability.
Background and Israel's Security Imperatives
Israel faced an existential challenge after Hamas's brutal assault that killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. For nearly two years, the IDF conducted precise operations to dismantle Hamas's military capabilities, including tunnels and rocket infrastructure. Hamas had governed Gaza since 2007, turning it into a launchpad for attacks rather than a place for civilian prosperity.
By mid-2025, Israel's clear goals included the release of all hostages, demilitarisation of Gaza, and prevention of future attacks. The IDF maintained control over key areas like the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt border to stop weapons smuggling. These steps aligned with Israel's right to defend itself while creating conditions for a safer region.
Trump's 20-Point Plan as a Path to Ceasefire
In September 2025, President Trump unveiled his detailed 20-point plan alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel quickly endorsed it, seeing it as a practical framework that addressed core security needs. Key elements included phased Israeli withdrawals tied to hostage releases and demilitarisation, a prisoner exchange, and plans for Gaza's redevelopment as a terror-free zone.
Hamas agreed to the first phase on October 3, 2025. The ceasefire took effect on October 10. Within days, Hamas released the remaining 20 living hostages on October 13 — a profound relief for their families in Israel. Israel in turn released 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and about 1,700 other detainees, along with bodies in specified ratios.
Achievements of the Ceasefire
From Israel's viewpoint, the ceasefire delivered tangible wins. All living hostages returned, fulfilling a national promise. Israel retained necessary control over parts of Gaza initially to ensure no resurgence of threats. The agreement nullified ideas of annexation while preserving Israel's ability to act against violations. Ties with friendly Arab states strengthened, building on the Abraham Accords spirit.
The Board of Peace
In November 2025, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2803, endorsing the plan and welcoming the Board of Peace. Chaired by President Trump, with participation from Israel, Egypt, and other allies, the Board serves as a transitional administration. It coordinates funding, oversees redevelopment, and supports a technocratic Palestinian committee for day-to-day governance until the Palestinian Authority can assume responsibility after reforms.
This body has international legal personality and works until at least December 2027. It guides the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), a multinational effort to maintain order and prevent rearmament. Pledges reached billions of dollars for reconstruction, focusing on turning Gaza into a peaceful, prosperous area.
Israel's Vision for Peace
The ceasefire and Board of Peace represent progress rooted in realism. Israel seeks a Gaza that no longer threatens its citizens, allowing focus on growth and regional partnerships. With continued international support, this can lead to a safer Middle East where Israelis and Palestinians alike enjoy security and opportunity.
Sources
[1]: BBC News. "Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan in full." 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70155nked7o
[2]: Board of Peace. "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025)." November 17, 2025. https://boardofpeace.org/resolution-2803
[3]: "Israel-Hamas War of 2023." Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Israel-Hamas-War-of-2023
[4]: Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. "Israel–Hamas Ceasefire: An Assessment." MP-IDSA Issue Brief, December 3, 2025. https://idsa.in/publisher/issuebrief/israel-hamas-ceasefire-an-assessment
[5]: Times of Israel. "Full Text of Oct. 9 Israel-Hamas Deal on Trump's Plan for Comprehensive End to Gaza War." October 9, 2025. https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-oct-9-israel-hamas-deal-on-trumps-plan-for-comprehensive-end-to-gaza-war/
[6]: International Crisis Group. "Gaza's Ceasefire Is Vital, but Only a Start." Briefing 97, October 21, 2025. https://www.crisisgroup.org/brf/middle-east-north-africa/israelpalestine/b97-gazas-ceasefire-vital-only-start
[7]: Chotiner, Isaac. "A Reckoning for the Stalled Gaza Peace Plan." The New Yorker, 2025/2026. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/a-reckoning-for-the-stalled-gaza-peace-plan
[8]: Institute for National Security Studies. "The Agreement to End the War — and What Comes Next?" INSS Insight No. 2052, November 3, 2025. https://www.inss.org.il/publication/israel-hamas-agreement/
[9]: Waltz, Michael G. Report of the Board of Peace. UN Doc. S/2026/418, May 15, 2026. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4114041/files/S_2026_418-EN.pdf
[10]: Council on Foreign Relations. "A Guide to the Gaza Peace Deal." 2025/2026. https://www.cfr.org/articles/guide-trumps-twenty-point-gaza-peace-deal