Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza truce and hostage return

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage agreement, the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 people and reshaped the Middle East.

Just a day after the second anniversary of a cross-border attack by Hamas militants that triggered Israel’s devastating offensive on Gaza, indirect talks in Egypt reached agreement on the first phase of Trump’s 20-point framework aimed at bringing peace to the Palestinian region.

If fully implemented, the agreement would bring the two sides closer than any previous effort to stop a war that has escalated into a regional conflict, drawing in countries like Iran, Yemen and Lebanon, deepening Israel’s international isolation and reshaping the Middle East.

But details of the deal Trump announced late Wednesday were sparse and still left many unresolved questions that could lead to the deal’s collapse.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said in a statement to Truth Social.

“This means that ALL Hostages will be released very soon and Israel will withdraw its Troops to an agreed line as the first steps towards a Strong, Durable and Everlasting Peace.”

Successful completion of the deal would mark a major foreign policy achievement for the Republican president, who campaigned on bringing peace to major conflicts around the world but has struggled to quickly bring peace to both Gaza and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government on Thursday to approve the agreement.

“With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home,” the statement said.

“This is a diplomatic success, a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.”

Hamas confirmed that it had reached an agreement to end the war, saying that the agreement included Israel’s withdrawal from the region and a hostage-prisoner exchange.

“We confirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain and that we will remain true to our word, never giving up the national rights of our people until freedom, independence and self-determination are achieved,” Hamas said. he said.

Gaza officials say more than 67,000 people have been killed and much of the territory has been destroyed since Israel began its military response to Hamas’ cross-border offensive on October 7, 2023.

According to Israeli officials, approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were taken hostage and taken back to Gaza. 20 of the 48 hostages are believed to be still alive.

Despite hopes for an end to the war, important details such as timing, post-war governance of the Gaza Strip and the fate of Hamas have yet to be revealed.

After the announcement, celebrations began in Gaza and Israel.

Abdul Majeed abd Rabbo, who lives in Khan Younis city in southern Gaza, said: “I am not the only one who is happy, the whole Gaza Strip is happy, all the Arab people, the whole world is happy with the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed.”

Following the statement, families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza gathered in Tel Aviv, in the so-called Hostages Square.

Hatan Angrest, whose son Matan was among the hostages, said, “President Trump, thank you very much. We thank him, our children will not return home without him.”

A Hamas source said the living hostages would be handed over within 72 hours after the Israeli government approves the deal.

Hamas officials insist it will take longer to recover the bodies of the dead hostages, believed to number around 28, from the rubble of Gaza.

Trump told Fox News the hostages would likely be released on Monday.

The Israeli army has warned Gaza residents that some areas, including Gaza City, where its forces maintain a siege, are still dangerous war zones.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all parties to fully comply with the terms of the agreement: “Immediate and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid and essential commercial supplies to Gaza must be ensured. The suffering must end.”