Trump Announces Israel & Hamas Have Reached ‘First Phase’ Gaza Ceasefire Deal
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his long-anticipated Gaza peace plan, marking a potential turning point in the two-year conflict that has killed tens of thousands.
In a post on social media, Trump said that “ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon” and that “Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line.” He added that the deal, reached after marathon negotiations in Cairo, represented the “first step toward lasting peace.”
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According to BBC, the agreement was brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States after weeks of intensive talks involving both Israeli and Hamas negotiators.
It was confirmed separately by Hamas officials and by the Israeli government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal “a great day for Israel” and announced that his government would meet on Thursday to approve the terms.
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A senior Palestinian official told the BBC that once the Israeli cabinet ratifies the plan — expected around 14:00 local time (12:00 BST) — a ceasefire will come into effect immediately.
The official said that under the first phase of the deal, Hamas will release 20 living Israeli hostages, while Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained during the war.
The BBC also reported that Hamas has not yet received the final list of prisoners to be released by Israel but this issue is expected to be resolved within hours.
Additionally, Israel will allow 400 aid trucks to enter Gaza each day, with the number increasing in later phases, according to a senior Palestinian source quoted by the BBC.
The same source said Israel will have 24 hours to withdraw its troops to a designated line once the cabinet approves the deal, opening a 72-hour window during which Hamas will release the hostages.
Trump told reporters in Washington that he “may travel to the Middle East” as the agreement is being finalized, likely “around the time that the hostages are being released.” He also suggested that the first releases could begin as early as Monday.
The announcement has sparked widespread relief across Israel and Gaza.
BBC report from Gaza, said there was “a sense of happiness” in the streets as news of the agreement spread, with displaced Palestinians celebrating what they hope is the beginning of the end of the war. In Israel, the families of hostages lit fireworks in celebration.
