Ceasefire Initiates as Gaza Peace Summit Kicks Off in Cairo

A ceasefire has commenced in Gaza as the much-anticipated **Gaza Peace Summit** began on **October 13, 2025**. This summit, co-hosted by **Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi** and **U.S. President Donald Trump**, aims to establish a lasting peace in the region. The ceasefire agreement has resulted in the release of the final **20 Israeli hostages** and included the return of freed Palestinian detainees to **Khan Younis** and **Ramallah**, where they were greeted by jubilant crowds.

The terms of the ceasefire also encompassed the release of approximately **250 Palestinians** serving life sentences, along with more than **1,700 individuals** previously held without charge. Despite this development, thousands of individuals remain unaccounted for beneath the debris in Gaza. Civil defense workers, facing significant shortages of equipment, are reportedly forced to dig through the rubble by hand.

Khaled al-Ayoubi, head of northern Gaza’s rescue teams, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are focusing on collecting the corpses lying in the streets to preserve what remains.” The **Gaza civil defense agency** estimates that around **10,000 bodies** are trapped under the rubble. This ceasefire has permitted the ambulance service to initiate searches for the deceased, offering families a chance for closure.

At the Gaza Peace Summit, President Trump proclaimed, “Against all odds, we have done the impossible, and brought our hostages home.” His assertion that “the war is over” leaves numerous critical questions unanswered. Trump is joined by President al-Sisi in hosting a gathering that includes **20 world leaders**, among them **Hungary’s Viktor Orbán**, **Italy’s Giorgia Meloni**, **France’s Emmanuel Macron**, **Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan**, and **Britain’s Keir Starmer**. Notably, officials from Israel and Hamas are absent from the summit.

Earlier this week, dozens of international activists detained by Israeli forces were deported through Jordan, including five Irish citizens who had participated in a humanitarian flotilla in the Mediterranean. Among those deported were writer **Naoise Dolan**, psychiatrist **Dr. Veronica O’Keane**, and Independent TD **Barry Heneghan**. Dolan and O’Keane are expected to arrive in **Dublin** on **October 13**, where supporters plan to host a welcome gathering at **Terminal 1, Dublin Airport**.

The ongoing situation in Gaza continues to evolve, with the ceasefire providing a brief respite amid a humanitarian crisis. The international community watches closely as the summit aims to pave the way for a more stable future in the region.