U.S. President Donald Trump has declared the Gaza war officially over, following the final phase of a hostage-prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas, bringing an apparent end to months of intense fighting in the region.

The announcement came after the last group of Israeli hostages were released by Hamas in exchange for a final batch of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons. Trump, who played a central role in the mediation, hailed the development as a “historic peace breakthrough” and a model for future conflict resolution in the Middle East.

“This marks the end of the war in Gaza,” Trump said in a televised address. “The hostages are home. The bombs have stopped. Peace has a chance again.”

A Deal Months in the Making

The conflict, which escalated rapidly after the October 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel’s military response, led to thousands of deaths, widespread destruction across Gaza, and international outcry over humanitarian conditions.

According to Israeli and U.S. sources:

• All remaining Israeli civilians and soldiers held by Hamas have been returned

• Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were held under administrative detention

• A permanent ceasefire is now in place, with both sides agreeing to halt cross-border attacks

Regional and Global Reactions

The agreement has drawn cautious praise from world leaders. The United Nations called it “a significant step toward peace,” while the European Union welcomed the return of hostages but stressed the need for a broader political solution for Gaza and the West Bank.

Critics, however, remain skeptical. Some in Israel fear that the exchange may embolden Hamas, while others argue that the ceasefire leaves underlying issues unresolved.

“This may be the end of this war, but not the end of the conflict,” said one Middle East analyst.

Trump’s Foreign Policy Spotlight

The deal places Trump back in the center of global diplomacy. It also revives discussion around his previous Middle East initiatives, including the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations during his first term.