To end the ongoing conflict and begin steps toward peace, Israel’s government has officially ratified a ceasefire with Hamas after weeks of negotiations aimed at ending nearly two years of fighting in Gaza. It was set to begin on October 11th, and within 72 hours of the ceasefire, Hamas also plans to release all Israeli hostages, and Israel will free nearly 2000 prisoners who had been detained since 2023. The 20-step deal was brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey and arranged by President Donald Trump. This marks what seems to be the most significant diplomatic progress since the war began. President Trump traveled to Egypt for the official signing ceremony, calling the arrangement a “momentous breakthrough.” La Jolla High Senior Alexander Lee remarked that he hoped the negotiations would lead to “the better option of resolution and peace.” While he worried about potential conflicts and disagreements during the negotiations, he expressed optimism that the countries would reach a ceasefire and, hopefully, a solid agreement. As a part of the deal, up to 600 aid trucks per day will enter Gaza to aid the Gazan citizens affected by the war with food and medicine, and Israeli troops were to withdraw to an agreed line inside the territory. The United Nations and several aid organizations would also assist with distributing humanitarian supplies once the truce takes effect. Many Gazans express cautious hope about the arrangement, but such relief isn’t limited to just the local citizens. Sophomore Misael Sanchez mentioned that he had a friend who had been living through the entire course of the war and expressed concern for his friend’s safety and the safety of the families living there. Misael mentioned how “the war has caused a lot of devastation to a lot of the citizens living there, and I’m worried about how they’re going to build the infrastructure back up.” And whether this agreement will lead to true peace remains uncertain, but for many, the arrangements shine as a beacon of hope.