Yes, a ceasefire signing in Egypt happened — but it wasn’t a final Israel‑Hamas “peace deal.” Here’s what really changed, and what didn’t.
“It took 3,000 years to get to this point,” Donald Trump said as cameras clicked in Sharm el‑Sheikh. The room was full of presidents and prime ministers. Two chairs were conspicuously empty.
The signing that day was real — and historic in its own way. But it was not a comprehensive peace treaty between Israel and Hamas. It was a U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework, with outside leaders signing as guarantors and mediators, while Israel and Hamas stayed offstage. The text itself remains confidential.
Below is what actually happened, what didn’t, and why it matters now.
The Big Picture: What was signed, who signed, and who didn’t
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Verified: A U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal was advanced at a leaders’ summit in Sharm el‑Sheikh on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Trump signed a document alongside Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani — acting as guarantors/mediators. The document’s full content has not been released to the public. Sources: AP, Reuters, Ahram
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Who was there: Egypt’s Sisi, Turkey’s Erdoğan, Qatar’s Emir, UK PM Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and others. The UAE was represented by Vice President Sheikh Mansour. Sources: Guardian live, Egypt’s State Information Service
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Who wasn’t: Neither Israeli nor Hamas leaders signed or attended the ceremony. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined the summit invitation, citing Simchat Torah. Sources: Reuters
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Trump’s “3,000 years” line: He said it, on the record. Sources: Times of India roundup of quotes
The Scene vs. The Substance
The optics were sweeping: motorcades on the Red Sea, cameras trained on a signing table, and a U.S. president projecting finality. The substance was more delicate: a phased ceasefire with outside guarantors, partial Israeli withdrawals, an aid surge, and a prisoner‑hostage exchange — all steps that could collapse without continued discipline from parties not in the room.
Trump doubled down with a speech to Israel’s Knesset the same day, urging leaders to “translate… victories… into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity.” That happened too. Sources: AP, Guardian
- AP: https://apnews.com/article/6347e7da64f6c97b95109558096c0b6c
- Egyptian Gazette recap: https://egyptian-gazette.com/world/trump-presses-israel-before-egypt-summit/?utm_source=openai
What Changed on the Ground
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Hostages: Hamas released the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages as part of phase one. Source: Guardian live
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Prisoners: Israel freed “nearly 2,000” Palestinians. Many outlets say “over 1,900.” The original article’s flat “2,000” is directionally right but not precise. Source: Guardian live
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Important correction: The article’s claim that these included “250 Hamas militants” is misleading. About 250 were long‑sentence “security prisoners” from multiple factions; Washington Post’s breakdown found roughly 63 associated with Hamas. Source: Washington Post
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Troop movements: Israel began partial, stepwise withdrawals to agreed lines, including earlier pullback from the Netzarim corridor. Source: APA News (English)
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Monitoring forces: About 200 U.S. troops are supporting ceasefire monitoring — based in Israel, not Gaza — as part of a civil‑military coordination hub with partners and NGOs. Source: Britannica news brief
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Aid and crossings: The deal prioritizes a major aid surge, with Rafah reopening under EU‑linked monitoring and a target of ~600 trucks/day through multiple entry points. However, the claim that “five border crossings” have reopened the same day is unconfirmed. Beyond Rafah (and ongoing use of Kerem Shalom), we could not verify a definitive “five.” Treat that number as unproven pending official announcements. Sources: Arab News, Reuters context
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Humanitarian reality: “Parts of Gaza are experiencing famine” is, tragically, true. The UN/IPC confirmed famine in Gaza Governorate in August 2025 and warned of spread without sustained access. Source: WHO
What Trump Promised — and What’s Documented
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Reconstruction aid: Trump vowed U.S. support to help rebuild Gaza. This is reflected in summit coverage. Source: AP
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Final peace? Not yet. The signed document is best described as a ceasefire framework with guarantors. The content remains confidential; that secrecy may help negotiators manage spoilers, but it also makes independent verification harder.
Key Corrections at a Glance
- Not a final “Israel‑Hamas peace deal” signed by the warring parties. It was a ceasefire framework signed by outside guarantors; Israel and Hamas leaders did not sign or attend. Sources: Reuters, AP
- “2,000 Palestinians released” needs softer wording. Most outlets say “over 1,900” or “nearly 2,000.” Source: Guardian live
- “250 Hamas militants” is inaccurate. About 250 were long‑sentence “security prisoners” from multiple factions; roughly 63 linked to Hamas per Washington Post. Source: Washington Post
- “Five border crossings reopened” is unverified. Rafah reopening and a large aid target are supported, but authoritative confirmation of five crossings on day one is lacking. Sources: Arab News, official statements pending
- U.S. troops are not entering Gaza. About 200 are based in Israel to support monitoring and coordination. Source: Britannica
How We Verified This
We cross‑checked each claim against on‑the‑record reporting from AP, Reuters, the Guardian’s live file, Egypt’s state information service, and detailed breakdowns from the Washington Post on prisoner affiliations. We also confirmed titles and attendees, including Keir Starmer as UK prime minister and Friedrich Merz as Germany’s chancellor. Sources:
- AP inauguration/photo feature: https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/trump-inauguration-in-pictures/?utm_source=openai
- ITV on Starmer attending: https://www.itv.com/news/2025-10-11/starmer-to-attend-gaza-peace-summit-in-egypt?utm_source=openai
- DW on Merz’s chancellorship: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-updates-merz-set-to-be-sworn-in-as-chancellor/live-72443927?utm_source=openai
What We Still Don’t Know
- The full text of the ceasefire document, including enforcement triggers and timelines
- Which additional crossings (if any) will reopen beyond Rafah and at what capacity, and on what schedule
- The detailed composition and authorities of the monitoring mechanism beyond general descriptions
- The durability of the phased IDF withdrawal — and what violations would reset it
Why This Moment Matters
The images from Sharm el‑Sheikh suggest closure. The facts suggest inflection. Hostages are home. Thousands of Palestinian prisoners are out. Israeli forces are pulling back in stages. Aid is starting to move at a scale not seen in months — a lifeline amid confirmed famine.
But the most important parties did not sign the paper on camera. That’s the fragile truth behind the “3,000 years” line: this is not the end of the story. It’s the start of a test — of enforcement, of restraint, of whether guarantors can shepherd a ceasefire that outlasts the headlines.