A “first phase” peace plan, brokered by international efforts, has been agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, offering the strongest hope yet for an end to their bloody two-year conflict. The initial deal aims to pause fighting and secure the release of hostages and prisoners held in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump announced the breakthrough on Truth Social, stating that all hostages would be released soon and Israel would begin withdrawing its troops to a predefined line. Trump hailed what he said was a “great day” for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel and all surrounding nations, as well as the US.
“We thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” he posted.
Hamas later confirmed the agreement on Thursday, detailing that it includes the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza enclave and a comprehensive hostage-prisoner exchange.
Hamas called on Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel fully implements the ceasefire. The group also said it would release the 20 hostages still alive as early as this weekend, with sources saying an exchange with Palestinian prisoners would happen within 72 hours of the deals signing, which is expected to be Thursday.
Trump says hostages to return to Israel on Monday
In an interview later on Wednesday, Trump said he believed the hostages would be “coming back” on Monday.
Responding to the announcement, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said: “With God’s help, we will bring them all home.”
Netanyahu described the development as a “great day for Israel” and said he would convene the government on Thursday to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement aimed at bringing home all the hostages.
“I thank President Trump and his team from the bottom of my heart for their commitment to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages,” Netanyahu said.
The families of hostages and their supporters started chanting “Nobel prize to Trump” as they gathered in the early hours of the morning in Tel Aviv. Some popped open a bottle of champagne and cheered. Crying tears of joy, families hugged previously released hostages as the square continued to fill with Israelis.
Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza also celebrated the announcement of the ceasefire.
