Israel and Hamas have agreed to a “first-phase” peace plan brokered through international efforts, marking the strongest sign yet of hope for ending their bloody two-year conflict. The agreement’s initial goal is to pause hostilities and secure the release of hostages and prisoners in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump announced the breakthrough on Truth Social, stating that all hostages would be released soon and Israel would begin withdrawing its troops to a predefined line. Trump hailed what he said was a “great day” for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel and all surrounding nations, as well as the US.
“We thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” he posted.
Hamas later confirmed the agreement on Thursday, detailing that it includes the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza enclave and a comprehensive hostage-prisoner exchange.
Hamas called on Trump and guarantor states to ensure that Israel fully implement the ceasefire. The group also announced that it would release the twenty remaining hostages as early as this weekend, with sources indicating that an exchange for Palestinian prisoners would take place within 72 hours of the deal’s signing, expected on Thursday.
Trump says Hamas to return hostages to Israel on Monday
In an interview later on Wednesday, Trump said he believed the hostages would be “coming back” on Monday.
Responding to the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “With God’s help, we will bring them all home.” Netanyahu described the development as a “great day for Israel” and said he would convene the government on Thursday to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement aimed at returning all the hostages home.
“I thank President Trump and his team from the bottom of my heart for their commitment to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages,” Netanyahu said. The families of hostages and their supporters started chanting “Nobel prize to Trump” as they gathered in the early hours of the morning in Tel Aviv.
Some popped open a bottle of champagne and cheered. Crying tears of joy, families hugged previously released hostages as the square continued to fill with Israelis. Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza also celebrated the announcement of the ceasefire.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
