The announcement was confirmed by Israel, Hamas, and mediator Qatar. (Image: Ref.)
President Donald Trump announced a major breakthrough, saying Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a peace plan to end the Gaza conflict. Mediator Qatar confirmed the deal, which includes releasing hostages and prisoners — a possible turning point after more than a year of fighting.
According to President Trump's announcement on Truth Social, the first phase of the agreement involves two critical steps. Firstly, all hostages held in Gaza will be released "very soon." Secondly, Israeli troops will withdraw their forces "to an agreed upon line." Trump described these as the initial steps toward what he called a "strong, durable, and everlasting peace." Hamas also confirmed the deal, stating it would end the war, secure an Israeli withdrawal, and include a hostage-prisoner swap.
Confirmation and cautious optimism followed Trump's post. Shortly after the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "all hostages will be brought home with god's help," as reported by the Associated Press. The mediator nation Qatar officially confirmed that an agreement for the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire had been reached. Hamas, in its statement, called on Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel implements the terms of the deal.
The dramatic announcement was preceded by a telling moment at the White House. During a roundtable discussion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio discreetly passed a handwritten note to President Trump. The memo, which said, "You need to authorize a Truth Social post soon so you may announce deal first," was photographed. Trump hinted to the impending announcement when he turned to the room shortly after reading the message and said, "We're very close to a deal in the Middle East."
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This development coincides with heated discussions between Israel, Hamas, and other parties at a resort in Egypt. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught on Southern Israel, the conflict in Gaza broke out and has since claimed thousands of lives. According to reports, President Trump's suggested plan has received favorable feedback from both parties. The US President had earlier hinted at a potential trip to the Middle East this weekend, stating that a deal was "very close" and that negotiations were "going along very well."
Disclaimer: This report is based on announcements from government officials and involved parties. The implementation of the deal's terms is ongoing.
