US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his proposed Gaza peace deal, marking a potential turning point in the two-year conflict that has devastated the region.
In a post on social media, Trump declared that “ALL of the hostages will be released very soon” and that “Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line.” The announcement has been hailed by some as the most significant breakthrough since hostilities erupted in October 2023.
Hamas has confirmed the deal’s existence but said it has not yet received the final list of prisoners that Israel intends to release in exchange for the hostages. A senior Palestinian official told the BBC that a ceasefire will go into effect immediately once the Israeli government approves the agreement, expected around 14:00 Jerusalem time (12:00 BST) on Thursday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the development as “a great day for Israel” and announced that he would convene his cabinet to formally endorse the plan.
The deal, mediated in Egypt, comes exactly two years and two days after Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza in retaliation for the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led gunmen, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli military actions since then have killed at least 67,183 people in Gaza, including over 20,000 children.
While the announcement has sparked cautious optimism worldwide, observers warn that key details still need to be negotiated, including future security arrangements, humanitarian access, and the long-term political status of Gaza.
Nonetheless, the agreement offers a rare glimmer of hope for peace after years of bloodshed, signaling a potential path toward ending one of the most protracted and destructive conflicts in recent memory.
