Ljubljana, Slovenia – October 13, 2025 – In a rare moment of diplomatic optimism at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Secretary-General Mark Rutte publicly commended Türkiye, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar for their pivotal roles in brokering a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, describing it as "an enormous step" toward regional stability. Speaking on the sidelines of the assembly in Slovenia's capital, Rutte's remarks underscored the alliance's cautious engagement with Middle East affairs while drawing parallels to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, October 10, marks the first significant pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas since a brief truce collapsed in March 2025. It represents the initial phase of a comprehensive 20-point peace plan unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump on September 29, following high-stakes talks at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The agreement has sparked cautious celebrations across Gaza, Israel, and the broader Arab world, though skeptics warn of potential pitfalls based on past failed deals.
Rutte's comments came in response to a question from Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the influential head of the Turkish delegation and a veteran lawmaker from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Çavuşoğlu, a former foreign minister known for his assertive diplomacy, pressed Rutte on NATO's stance toward the Gaza developments, highlighting Ankara's behind-the-scenes mediation efforts.
"I want to thank you. And through you, Türkiye, but also of course the US, Egypt, and Qatar, for the fact that the ceasefire is now taking place," Rutte said, his tone measured yet appreciative. He credited Turkish President Erdoğan and his team for "working very hard" alongside American, Egyptian, and Qatari counterparts. "The fact that this is now happening is an enormous step—one that hopefully inspires us in Europe and with the US to do everything to also end the war in Ukraine," Rutte added, linking the Gaza breakthrough to NATO's core Euro-Atlantic priorities.
The assembly, attended by over 300 parliamentarians from NATO's 32 member states, provided a platform for Rutte to navigate the alliance's delicate position on the Israel-Hamas war. He emphasized that NATO must "tread carefully" due to "various perspectives" among members on the Middle East, particularly regarding Israel and Gaza. "NATO’s focus is on the Euro-Atlantic area, so it’s a bit outside our territory. But of course, we are closely following developments, especially because of their impact on our mission in Iraq—where Türkiye plays a big role—helping Iraqis build their own security and defense forces," Rutte explained.
Türkiye's involvement in Iraq, through NATO's non-combat training mission, has been a cornerstone of alliance cooperation, with Ankara contributing significantly to capacity-building for Iraqi forces amid persistent threats from ISIS remnants and Iranian-backed militias. Rutte's nod to this role subtly reinforced Türkiye's strategic importance to NATO, despite occasional frictions over issues like Sweden's membership and Syria policy.
The Gaza ceasefire's origins trace back to Trump's ambitious proposal, which he framed as a "historic and unprecedented event" during a September 29 press conference. The plan, developed in consultation with Arab and Muslim nations, outlines a phased approach to de-escalation, hostage release, and reconstruction. Phase one, now underway, mandates an immediate halt to fighting, the release of all remaining Israeli captives held by Hamas—estimated at 48 individuals, including 20 believed alive—in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to an "agreed-upon line" covering about 53% of Gaza.
Implementation began swiftly after Israel's security cabinet ratified the deal on October 9, following indirect negotiations in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort. Within 24 hours, the ceasefire activated at noon local time on Friday, allowing unhindered humanitarian aid inflows through the Rafah crossing with Egypt—a mechanism echoing the January 19, 2025, truce. Hamas confirmed the handover of all living hostages by Sunday, October 12, with Israeli officials verifying the releases at a neutral site in Egypt. In return, Israel began transferring Palestinian detainees, including low- and medium-security prisoners, though high-profile figures like Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti were notably absent from the list, drawing criticism from Hamas negotiators.
Trump, who interrupted a cabinet meeting to announce the breakthrough on Truth Social, hailed it as a "GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States." He credited mediators Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye explicitly, while pledging U.S. involvement in monitoring compliance through a multinational force of about 200 troops under American oversight. The president plans to attend a formal signing ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh later this week, a move aides describe as prioritizing "optics" to cement the deal's momentum.
Phase two, set to commence after phase one's completion, envisions the establishment of a new governing body in Gaza excluding Hamas, the deployment of an international peacekeeping contingent, and the full disarmament of the militant group, including the destruction of tunnels and weapon facilities. This stage also calls for Israel's complete withdrawal from the Strip and the initiation of a three-to-five-year reconstruction program, funded by Gulf states and international donors, focusing on infrastructure like water, electricity, and hospitals. Aid distribution would proceed via UN agencies and the Red Crescent, free from interference by either party. Hamas has tentatively endorsed these terms but insists on guarantees against future Israeli incursions, citing violations during the 2025 truce.
The conflict's toll provides stark context for this tentative progress. Since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks killed about 1,200 Israelis and foreigners and led to the abduction of 251 people, Israel's retaliatory campaign has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's health ministry, with widespread destruction displacing nearly 2 million residents. Previous ceasefires—in November 2023 and January 2025—collapsed amid mutual accusations of breaches, including aid blockades and airstrikes. The January deal, mediated by the outgoing Biden administration, extended briefly but shattered on March 18, 2025, with Israeli airstrikes during Ramadan, reigniting fears of endless cycles.
Global reactions have poured in, blending hope with vigilance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a "long-awaited development" that could end "the pain of so many," thanking the mediators. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed Rutte, labeling the mediation "crucial" and urging full implementation of Trump's plan. Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Rutte's compatriot, expressed relief for hostages' families and Gaza's civilians. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas commended the efforts but stressed readiness to collaborate on success.
From the Arab side, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari confirmed agreement on all phase-one mechanisms, while Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya thanked supportive "fronts" like Yemen's Houthis and Lebanon's Hezbollah for pressuring Israel. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, hosting the signing, positioned Cairo as a neutral guarantor, emphasizing Rafah's reopening for aid. In Israel, Netanyahu's cabinet approval faced internal pushback from hardliners like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who threatened coalition collapse if Hamas retains influence. Yet, hostage families and protesters in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square erupted in cautious joy, with forums urging swift action.
In Gaza, the mood is bittersweet. Displaced families streamed north toward ruined homes in Gaza City and Khan Younis over the weekend, driven by desperation rather than security assurances. Municipal spokesman Asem Alnabih noted that "the reality on the ground has not changed," with rubble-choked roads and water shortages persisting despite aid trucks queuing at Rafah. Celebrations in Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah featured sweets and chants, but UN officials warn that without phase two's reconstruction, famine risks loom for 1.9 million displaced.
Rutte's invocation of Ukraine adds a layer of strategic calculus. As NATO grapples with Russian advances in Donbas and stalled peace talks, the Gaza model—multilateral mediation yielding quick wins—offers a blueprint. Yet, alliance divisions on Israel persist: the U.S. and UK back the deal unequivocally, while some European states criticize phase two's demilitarization as overly punitive to Palestinians. Senator Bernie Sanders, in a U.S. confirmation hearing, welcomed the truce but demanded accountability for "war crimes on both sides."
Analysts like former U.S. Ambassador Gordon Gray describe it as a "very positive first step," but caution that details on phase two—governance without Hamas, potentially under Palestinian Authority oversight—remain contentious. Hamas's exile chief, Khalil al-Hayya, claimed the deal "brought the occupier to its knees," while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar insisted on no war resumption post-phase one.
As Rutte's assembly wraps, the world watches Gaza closely. With aid flowing and hostages freed, the truce holds—for now. But history's ghosts, from 2023's broken promises to 2025's Ramadan strikes, remind all that peace in the Holy Land is as fragile as it is fervent. Trump's "everlasting peace" vision hangs in the balance, with phase two negotiations slated for Cairo next month. For NATO, the lesson is clear: even beyond the Euro-Atlantic, diplomacy's ripples can inspire—or undermine—the alliance's quest for security.
