Israel and Hamas have confirmed a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage deal, the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and reshaped the Middle East.
Just a day after the second anniversary of the Hamas attack that triggered Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza, indirect talks in Egypt resulted in an agreement on the initial phase of Trump’s 20-point framework for bringing peace to the Palestinian enclave.
The deal, if fully implemented, would bring the two sides closer together than any previous effort to stop a war that has spiraled into a regional conflict, drawing in countries like Iran, Yemen and Lebanon, deepening Israel’s international isolation and reshaping the Middle East.
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of our peace plan,” Trump said on Truth Social.
“This means that all hostages will be released very soon and Israel will withdraw its troops to the agreed line as the first steps towards a strong, lasting and eternal peace,” Trump added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his cabinet today to approve the deal.
“With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be returned home,” he said in a statement, adding that it was “a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.”
Hamas confirmed that it had reached an agreement to end the war, saying the deal included an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and an exchange of hostages and prisoners.
“We confirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain and that we will remain true to our promise – we will never abandon the national rights of our people until freedom, independence and self-determination are achieved,” Hamas said.
