One year ago today, on October 9, 2025, we reached an agreement on President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza many believed impossible. After two years of devastating war, the agreement created a path to reunite hostage families with their loved ones, bring security to Israel, relieve the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and build a different future for the region. One year later, it’s remarkable how much has changed. The situation is far from perfect, but the progress is real, and the world is better for it. A look at the past year: ✅October 9, 2025: Hamas accepts President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, launching a ceasefire that has largely endured for a year. ✅October 12, 2025: Israeli forces complete first withdrawal to the agreed yellow line. ✅October 13, 2025: All 20 living Israeli hostages return home. Something many believed would never happen. ✅November 17, 2025: UN Security Council passes Resolution 2803, endorsing the peace plan and authorizing an international stabilization framework and the Board of Peace. ✅January 5, 2026: UN reports 100% of basic food needs being met in Gaza for the first time since 2023. ✅January 17, 2026: National Committee for the Administration of Gaza established, creating a Palestinian technocratic administration focused on restoring essential services and rebuilding Gaza. ✅January 26, 2026: Remains of the final deceased hostage returned. For the first time since 2014, no Israeli hostages, living or deceased, in Gaza. ✅February 19, 2026: The Board of Peace holds its inaugural meeting, hosted by Chairman President Trump. Landmark partnership with FIFA announced, including a $50 million commitment toward a football stadium, academy, and facilities for Gaza’s children, and billions of dollars in commitments for the people of Gaza. ✅May 2, 2026: UN reports that humanitarian aid entering Gaza had increased by 72% compared with before the ceasefire. ✅July 31, 2026: Hamas signs an actionable, step-by-step framework for decommissioning its weapons, developed with the support of Nickolay Mladenov and mediators from Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the United States. Implementation remains a critical next step. ✅2026: Five nations commit forces toward the International Stabilization Force, with several more working on logistics for deployment this fall. ✅September 23, 2026: Board of Peace hosts an open meeting on the sidelines of UNGA releasing the next steps in the Gaza recovery plan. A year ago, so much of this seemed impossible. First, many doubted we could reach an agreement. Then came the harder question of whether the parties would honor their commitments. Over the past year, we have seen what can be achieved when people with profound differences find ways to work together toward a common objective. Steve Witkoff @SEPeaceMissions and I are grateful to @POTUS Trump for his leadership, @VP, @SecRubio, the Board of Peace team, led by @TB, @nmladenov, @lightstonea, @AliShaathNCAG, Gen. Jasper Jeffers, Liran Tanchman, Yakir Gabay, Josh Greunbaum, Josh Halpern and many others, and our partners in Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco and Israel. Special thanks to Sheikh Mohammed, Ali Al-Thwadi, Hakan Fidan, General Hasan, Bader Abdulhamdi, @mikeeisenberg, and @AmbDermer. I’m also grateful to the many talented people who have volunteered their time and energy because they believe that the horrors of October 7 and the suffering in Gaza must never happen again. There is still hard work ahead. Disarmament must be implemented, security established, essential services restored, and communities rebuilt. None of this will be easy. But we have a thoughtful plan, committed partners, and a path forward that did not exist a year ago. It’s worth recognizing how far we’ve come, even as we acknowledge how much remains to be done. Hopefully, the year ahead will bring even more progress, and a few more miracles.