This is how the secret agreement was created that ended the war in Gaza under Trump’s administration

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, achieved one of the greatest milestones of his second term this month: a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas that has put an end, at least for now, to the war in Gaza.

He did it his way: without multilateral summits or traditional negotiations, and with the help of his son-in-law Jared Kushner and real estate developer Steve Witkoff, who became the key architects of the understanding.

The report published by Time reveals how the pact was secretly crafted, behind the back of traditional diplomacy.

Instead of relying on the apparatus of the State Department, Trump depended on figures from his close circle, convinced that what diplomacy could not resolve could be settled with what he calls "the art of the deal."

The agreement includes an immediate ceasefire, a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and the release of all living hostages held by Hamas—estimated to be around 20—in exchange for the release of more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences.

The delivery of the bodies of deceased hostages and access to massive humanitarian aid for the devastated enclave were also considered.

Witkoff and Kushner drafted the document after meetings with officials from Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, the cited source revealed.

The plan was first introduced during the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, and then it was refined into a two-phase structure: first, the cessation of hostilities and the exchange of prisoners; and second, a roadmap for the demilitarization of Gaza, the establishment of an interim civilian government, and the potential for diplomatic normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Trump became directly involved in the latest negotiations, applying pressure on the leaders of the region.

“I spoke a bit loudly,” acknowledged the leader at the White House.

He is expected to travel to Israel and Egypt this week to oversee the implementation of the agreement and participate in a symbolic signing ceremony.

For Israel, the agreement represents a strategic shift. After months of military offensive that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu approved the pact by majority in the cabinet. However, the ceasefire also exposes Netanyahu to internal criticism for potential concessions.

The second phase of the plan, still pending, will be the most complex: establishing who will govern Gaza, ensuring the definitive removal of Hamas, and guaranteeing that terrorist structures do not emerge again.

According to the White House, several Arab countries have already committed to funding the reconstruction and participating in an international verification force.

This pact not only aims to put an end to one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts in the region, but it also represents an attempt by Trump to reestablish the United States as a central player in international politics, following years of criticism of its isolationist stance.

In a fragmented world with multiple ongoing crises, peace in Gaza, albeit fragile, could signify the beginning of a new phase in the Middle East.

And with that, Trump seeks to consolidate a narrative of global leadership that will accompany him beyond his years in the White House.

This Monday, Trump proclaimed the end of the war in Gaza, celebrated the release of hostages, and announced a reconstruction plan with regional and international support to transform the Middle East.

In previous days, the president had already shown optimism following a statement from Hamas in which the organization expressed willingness to engage in dialogue about a long-term solution.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Peace Agreement between Israel and Hamas under Trump's Administration