US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have 'both signed off' on the first phase of a peace plan for Gaza. '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 wrote on Truth Social.
The announcement comes after three days of indirect talks in Egypt - mediated by officials from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US - aimed at bringing an end to the two-year conflict. Both Israel and Hamas also confirmed an agreement had been reached.
However, Trump's post did not clarify other known sticking points in negotiations - notably the disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza. In a post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a 'great day', adding that he would 'convene the government tomorrow to ratify the agreement and bring all of our precious hostages home'. The agreement is said to include an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange.
A senior White House official indicated that hostages are expected to begin getting released on Monday, while further details are anticipated from Qatari Foreign Minister Majed al-Ansari.
Earlier on Wednesday, speculation about a potential deal intensified when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Trump a note referencing the negotiations. Trump's confirmation of progress comes amidst ongoing violence in Gaza, where recent Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in significant casualties.
The announcement comes after three days of indirect talks in Egypt - mediated by officials from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US - aimed at bringing an end to the two-year conflict. Both Israel and Hamas also confirmed an agreement had been reached.
However, Trump's post did not clarify other known sticking points in negotiations - notably the disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza. In a post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a 'great day', adding that he would 'convene the government tomorrow to ratify the agreement and bring all of our precious hostages home'. The agreement is said to include an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange.
A senior White House official indicated that hostages are expected to begin getting released on Monday, while further details are anticipated from Qatari Foreign Minister Majed al-Ansari.
Earlier on Wednesday, speculation about a potential deal intensified when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Trump a note referencing the negotiations. Trump's confirmation of progress comes amidst ongoing violence in Gaza, where recent Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in significant casualties.
