After two years of relentless conflict, the Gaza war could be nearing its end as a U.S.-led diplomatic effort has reportedly brought a comprehensive peace deal to the brink of success. Officials are expressing strong optimism, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio declaring that the agreement is “90 per cent” complete.
The proposed deal, architected by President Donald Trump, has secured the “basic” agreement of Hamas and the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This rare alignment of adversaries has paved the way for what could be the most significant peace initiative in the region in years. The central trade-off involves the release of Israeli hostages for a strategic Israeli military withdrawal.
The talks are now in their final, most delicate phase, focusing on the logistical arrangements for the hostage exchange. “90 per cent of this has been worked out and we are just sort of finalising the logistical piece,” Rubio stated, indicating that the major political hurdles have been cleared.
The framework also looks beyond the immediate cessation of violence. It includes an agreement “in principle” from Hamas to discuss a post-war governance plan for Gaza. While the details are sparse, this component is vital for ensuring that the end of the war leads to sustainable peace rather than another cycle of conflict.
President Trump has hailed the initiative as a “great deal for Israel” while simultaneously issuing a powerful ultimatum to Hamas. He has warned that the group must choose the path of peace and relinquish control or face total destruction, leaving no ambiguity about the consequences of scuttling the deal.