4t ‘LASTING PEACE’: Former President Obama says the world should be “encouraged and relieved” that an end to the Israel-Gaza conflict appears near, urging Israelis and Palestinians to seize the moment to rebuild and pursue a lasting peace.
In a rare bipartisan moment amid the relentless churn of American politics, former President Barack Obama extended a measured olive branch on October 9, 2025, praising the fragile first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that could end two years of devastating war in Gaza. Posting on X—formerly Twitter—from his Chicago office, Obama urged the world to be “encouraged and relieved” by the breakthrough, while calling on Israelis and Palestinians to seize the opportunity for reconstruction and a durable resolution. “After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight,” he wrote, emphasizing the release of hostages and a surge in humanitarian aid.
Obama’s statement, clocking in at 280 characters of calculated optimism, arrives as the Trump administration touts its 20-point peace framework—announced last week in Egypt—as a triumph. The deal’s initial stage, approved by Israel’s cabinet on October 9, halts fighting for 72 hours, mandates the release of all remaining Israeli hostages (about 100 living, per Israeli estimates) held by Hamas since October 7, 2023, and sees Israel free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences plus 1,700 others detained during the conflict. Hamas, in turn, agrees to a permanent end to hostilities, with Israel’s forces withdrawing to a “Yellow Line” buffer in Gaza and the Rafah crossing reopening for aid. Trump, speaking from the White House, hailed it as “the whole world coming together,” crediting mediators like Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, and vowing a signing ceremony in Cairo next week.
Notably absent from Obama’s post? Any direct nod to Trump, whose administration spearheaded the talks after a September 9 Israeli strike in Qatar nearly derailed negotiations. Instead, the 44th president pivoted to the human stakes: “More than that, though, it now falls on Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the U.S. and the entire world community, to begin the hard task of rebuilding Gaza – and to commit to a process that, by recognizing the common humanity and basic rights of both peoples, can achieve a lasting peace.” It’s a subtle reminder of his own 2016 Cairo speech, where he envisioned a two-state solution amid similar hopes—now tempered by the war’s toll: over 41,000 Palestinian deaths (per Gaza Health Ministry), 1,200 Israelis killed in the initial Hamas assault, and a humanitarian catastrophe with famine risks in northern Gaza.
Reactions poured in swiftly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal “a vital step toward security,” while Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri framed it as “victory for resistance.” Celebrations erupted in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square and Khan Younis, with families embracing amid tears, though skeptics like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) warned of “Hamas regrouping.” On X, #GazaCeasefire trended globally with 4.2 million posts, blending jubilation (“Finally, light at the end!”) and caution (“Phase one only—don’t jinx it”).
Obama’s intervention, coming days after the deal’s ink dried, underscores a bipartisan thread in U.S. foreign policy: cautious endorsement laced with calls for equity. His 2024 Medium post on Gaza urged “immediate ceasefire” amid Biden’s faltering efforts, a stance that drew fire from pro-Israel hawks. Now, with Trump’s “board of peace”—an international panel to govern Gaza’s rebuild—taking shape, Obama spotlights the “hard task” ahead: $50 billion in reconstruction, per World Bank estimates, amid distrust that could unravel Phase Two (full withdrawal) by November.
For weary Israelis and Palestinians, Obama’s words offer a fragile beacon. As aid trucks rumble toward northern Gaza for the first time in months, the onus shifts to leaders like Netanyahu and Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar to honor the pact. In a region scarred by cycles of violence, seizing this moment for “lasting peace” isn’t just diplomacy—it’s destiny. As Obama implored, recognize that common humanity. The world watches, relieved, but resolute: Peace demands more than pauses; it requires promise.
