The declaration by President Donald Trump of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which will lead to the release of all 48 hostages, both dead and alive, could eventually bring an end to the war. 

It comes almost precisely two years after Hamas’ brutal attack on the Western Negev and the Gaza Envelope communities, which initially killed 1,200 Israelis while Hamas took another 251 hostages into captivity. The group’s invasion was followed by attacks on Israel led by the Iranian Axis – from the Houthis in Yemen to Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran itself – along with a toxic delegitimization campaign against Israel and the spread of global antisemitism.

Israel emerged from the ashes, demonstrating societal and national resilience. 

Despite paying a high price, and after moments of doubt, it ultimately succeeded militarily, striking each of its adversaries separately – including the head of the octopus itself, Iran – and forever changing the Middle East, which now stands on the brink of dramatic transformation. The fact that Hamas will release all the hostages while the IDF still controls half of Gaza in the first phase of the deal is a major achievement for Israel, which refused to surrender to the Hamas terror organization’s demands throughout the war. 

Israel’s enemies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, will apparently try to rebuild their power soon, but today’s Middle East will be much safer than it was prior to the war.

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