U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of his peace plan aimed at pausing fighting and releasing hostages and prisoners — marking what he described as a major breakthrough in the two-year-long war.
“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote on social media.
According to people familiar with the matter, Hamas will release all 20 living hostages in the coming days, while Israeli forces are expected to begin withdrawing from most parts of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the deal, saying on social media, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.”
Hamas confirmed that the agreement includes Israeli troop withdrawal, entry of humanitarian aid, and the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
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Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter told CNN that living hostages are expected to be released on Sunday or Monday, following Cabinet approval of a list of Palestinian prisoners for release. “We hope it leads to a complete cessation of hostilities and a rebuilding of Gaza for the sake of the Gazans and for the sake of Israel,” he said.
In a Fox News interview, Trump said the hostages will “probably” start being released on Monday, calling the agreement “peace in the Middle East.” He said Gaza would become “a peaceful, much safer place,” adding that wealthy neighboring countries would help reconstruct the territory, with U.S. support.
The Israeli Army said it “welcomes the signing of the agreement for the return of the hostages,” adding that forces have been instructed to strengthen defenses and prepare for “any scenario.”
In Israel, news of the deal sparked celebrations in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where families of captives hugged and cheered through tears of joy.
The U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the U.S.-brokered agreement as a “desperately needed breakthrough,” urging all parties to fully comply with the deal and calling for a “credible political path” toward a two-state solution.
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Netanyahu’s office described his phone conversation with Trump as “warm and moving,” calling the agreement a “historic achievement.” The Israeli leader thanked Trump for his “global leadership,” while Trump praised Netanyahu’s “determined leadership.”
The deal will go before Israel’s Cabinet for final approval Thursday. Once approved, Israel is expected to begin its withdrawal within 24 hours, while Hamas will have 72 hours to release the hostages, according to U.S. officials.
Mediators in Qatar confirmed that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which “will lead to ending the war, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the entry of aid.”
The Hostages Families Forum welcomed the ceasefire announcement with “excitement, anticipation and apprehension,” thanking Trump for his “commitment and determination that led to this historic breakthrough.”
Source: AP