Inside Trump’s Secret Gaza Deal: How Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey Helped Free the Last Israeli Hostages

The untold story behind the high-stakes ceasefire that changed the Gaza war overnight; Exclusive: how a behind-the-scenes Trump Gaza deal brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey stopped the bloodshed

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Introduction

Thanks to behind-the-scenes diplomacy involving U.S. President Trump, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, a long-sought ceasefire between Israel and Palestine was achieved, and with it, the fragile outlines of peace. The incessant shelling and gunfire in Gaza stopped, and weapons fell silent in Israel after nearly two years of continuous war.

The heart of this agreement, one that deserves credit to Trump’s efforts, lay in enabling the release of remaining living hostages and orchestrating a mutual exchange of prisoners.

The most critical outcome that both sides anxiously anticipated was that hostages still alive would be freed, and that both Israelis and Palestinians in detention would be exchanged. In all of that, President Trump, aided by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, acted as a linchpin, often unseen, but undeniably central, to this diplomatic mission.

The Three Phases of the Ceasefire Agreement

The hostage release and ceasefire process was executed in a tightly coordinated, phased approach, melding diplomacy, security, and humanitarian operations:

Phase 1 – The Framework

Using diplomatic channels, the U.S. (under Trump), along with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey brokered an agreement. These actors helped establish the framework under which both sides would commit to a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and the release of hostages.

As Reuters reports, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey signed a ceasefire document with Trump during a summit in Sharm el-Sheik. Reuters

Phase 2 – Hostage Release and Troop Pullback

In this stage, surviving hostages would be freed, Israeli forces would begin to withdraw from parts of Gaza, and negotiations would deepen toward a longer-term ceasefire. The release of the hostages was coordinated carefully, with health, logistics, and security protocols in place on both sides.

Phase 3 – Aftermath, Returns, and Reconstruction

This last phase involves returning the bodies of casualties, rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure, reopening border crossings, and drafting durable political frameworks and peace accords. The difficult questions of governance, security, and sovereignty come to the fore here.

How the Hostage Release Unfolded

Once the ceasefire took effect, Hamas began releasing the living hostages while Israel simultaneously freed Palestinian detainees. Israel prepped reception bases near the border, ready hospitals, and psychological and rehabilitation teams for the freed. On the Hamas side, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) mediated transfers from Gaza handover points to Israeli forces.

On 13 October 2025, 20 living Israeli hostages were freed. In return, Israel released over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners, among them 250 with long sentences. The bodies of four deceased hostages were handed over, while the remaining 28 bodies (per the initial deal) had yet to be fully delivered. Wikipedia

The handover of the bodies was always going to be complex. The destruction in Gaza, uncertainty in locating remains, and procedural difficulties made it a “massive challenge,” according to the Red Cross.

Source: Google.com

Only four coffins were returned so far, with many bodies still unaccounted for. Israel asserted it had retained control over significant portions of Gaza, especially key security zones, even as its forces withdrew to pre-agreed lines. Reuters

The Challenges Facing This Peace Deal

This agreement may appear bold, but the obstacles ahead are immense.

First is the question of final peace. Trump’s plan calls for Hamas to be disarmed and Gaza to be administered under an interim “techno-administration” or overseen by international figures such as Tony Blair. But Hamas never fully accepted those terms publicly. The gap between what’s on paper and what parties are willing to do is stark. TIME

Who gets to govern Gaza? Who makes the decisions? These questions remain unresolved. Regional actors complicate things further. States like Saudi Arabia or the UAE may have influence, but were not all active participants in the summit. Their exclusion could breed problems of legitimacy later on. Trump’s plan doesn’t clearly define each regional power’s role. Le Monde

Israel, meanwhile, insists on maintaining security dominance. Some versions of the plan suggest Israel retains control of 53 % of Gaza, especially over strategic and security zones. Le Monde

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Dead bodies still being held are a flashpoint. Families demand full compliance; delays or partial returns are seen as treaty violations. Even minor skirmishes or misunderstandings along withdrawal lines have already cost lives. ABC News

In Gaza, reports surfaced of public executions of alleged collaborators and fighters being deployed along routes vital for aid delivery, moves that undermine neutrality and raise fears of renewed violence. Guardian

Finally, distrust runs deep. Years of suffering have left both sides mired in suspicion. At home, many in Israel want the war to continue until Hamas is destroyed; Hamas likewise is under pressure not to relinquish influence. Netanyahu has already insisted that fighting will not end until Hamas is disarmed. Guardian

What Lies Ahead: Prospects for Lasting Peace

Looking forward, the road is narrow, but not impossible.

Trump has returned to Washington, making oversight and momentum harder to maintain. There is no clearly defined schedule for high-level follow-up negotiations. TIME

The initial burst of diplomacy must now evolve into sustained engagement. The divide between paper and reality remains deep. If Hamas refuses to disarm or Israel continues enforcing security zones unilaterally, tensions will flare. The governance structure of Gaza needs to be clarified, and quickly. Who holds executive power, who enforces law, who controls borders? These matters can’t stay vague.

International mediators will have to walk a tightrope. Egypt wants border security, Qatar wants its role in Palestinian affairs preserved, and Turkey influence in the Muslim world. The U.S. aims to demonstrate its power and secure domestic political gains. A single misstep in messaging, timing, or coordination could topple the fragile arrangement.

In short, this ceasefire is a breakthrough, but only the opening act. The next chapters must deliver clarity, justice, and security, or this fragile peace may crumble back into war.

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