7am Why Israel and Hamas agreed to Trump’s peace deal
Oct 9, 2025
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, dives into the recent agreement between Israel and Hamas on Trump’s peace plan. He breaks down the dynamics of the hostage release and prisoner exchange and discusses Netanyahu's political framing of the deal. The conversation touches on the implications of troop withdrawals and the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza. Carlstrom also highlights the pressures influencing Hamas's acceptance of the deal and explores the challenges ahead for compliance and future negotiations.
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First Phase Deal: What It Actually Does
- The deal requires immediate ceasefire, hostage releases, prisoner swaps, partial Israeli pullback, and increased aid via five crossings.
- Israel will still control roughly half of Gaza and keep troops outside major cities while hostages are freed.
Limited Military Pullback
- The pullback is only a kilometer or two and moves Israeli forces slightly away from big cities like Gaza City.
- Israel will continue to control most territory and won't relinquish larger areas until later phases.
Scale Of Destruction And Rebuilding
- Gaza is largely ruined with up to 80% of buildings destroyed or uninhabitable and massive displacement.
- Reconstruction is staggering, with World Bank estimating $53 billion and the UN saying rubble clearance could take a decade.