US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of his Gaza peace plan, hailing it as a “historic and unprecedented” step to ending the two-year-old war. “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said on his Truth Social network. “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 also thanked mediators Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, adding: “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” Mediators said Israel and Hamas had reached a deal for a hostage-prisoner exchange and aid entry into Gaza, Egyptian state-linked media reported.Also Read: Donald Trump announces Israel-Hamas ‘sign off’ on first stage of US-brokered Gaza peace deal; thanks mediators
First phase of Gaza ceasefire to be signed in Egypt Thursday
A source close to the matter told AFP that the first phase of Gaza ceasefire to be signed in Egypt on Thursday.“The deal will be formally signed around midday (local time) on Thursday in Egypt” a source with knowledge of the agreement said on condition of anonymity, after US President Donald Trump announced the parties had agreed to the first phase of his peace plan following talks in Egypt on ending the war in Gaza. Earlier, Netanyahu said, “A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home.” It seems that the deal will be signed soon.
Netanyahu hails ‘historic’ deal in call with Trump
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an “emotional and warm” phone call with Trump after Hamas agreed to the hostage-release phase of Trump’s deal for ending the war in Gaza, according to the premier’s office. The office stated that Netanyahu invited the American leader to address the Knesset. “The two held a very emotional and warm conversation, congratulating one another on the historic achievement of signing the agreement for the release of all the hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. Netanyahu “thanked President Trump for his efforts and for his global leadership, and President Trump praised the prime minister for his resolute leadership and the actions he has taken,” the readout continued. Netanyahu invited Trump to address the Knesset in Israel, and the two leaders “agreed to continue their close cooperation,” the statement added.
Moral victory for Israel: Netanyahu
In a separate statement, Netanyahu declared: “With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.” “From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved,” he continued. “Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point…God Bless Israel. God Bless America. God Bless our great alliance,” Netanyahu said.
Hamas confirms ceasefire agreement with Israel and calls for implementation
Hamas has issued a statement confirming the hostage-ceasefire agreement with Israel, stating it “provides for an end to the war in Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupation forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange.” The Palestinian terrorist organisation thanked the mediators and US President Donald Trump for brokering an end to the war triggered by its October 7-2023 onslaught against Israel, while urging them “to compel the occupation govt to fully implement the obligations of the agreement and to prevent it from evading or delaying the implementation of what has been agreed upon.” “We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, inside our homeland and abroad, who have demonstrated unmatched honor, courage, and steadfastness, confronting the occupation’s fascist schemes that targeted them and their national rights,” the statement adds. “We affirm that our people’s sacrifices will not be in vain, and we pledge to remain faithful to our cause and never abandon our national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved.”
Hamas to release all living hostages this weekend as ceasefire deal progresses
Hamas plans to release all 20 living hostages this weekend, people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The deceased hostages will come out in a later stage in phases. The Israel army will move out of 70% of the area, they said. It was not immediately clear whether the parties had made any progress on thornier questions about the future of the conflict, including whether Hamas will demilitarise, as Trump has demanded, and eventual governance of the war-torn territory. But the agreement nonetheless marked the most momentous development since a deal in January and February that involved the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Hostage families group reacts to ceasefire news with excitement and anticipation
The Hostages Families Forum, a grassroots organisation representing many of the hostage families, said it received the news of a ceasefire with “excitement, anticipation, and apprehension.” The Forum called on the Israeli govt to immediately convene to approve the deal, and praised Trump for his “commitment and determination that led to this historic breakthrough.”
Trump calls Gaza ceasefire deal a great day for world
US President Donald Trump described the Gaza hostages-for-ceasefire agreement reached in Egypt as “a great day for the world,” Reuters reported. Speaking in a brief telephone interview, Trump stated, “The whole world has come together on this one, Israel, every country has come together. This has been a fantastic day.” He continued, “This is a great day for the world. This is a wonderful day, a wonderful day for everybody.”
