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Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which includes a temporary halt to fighting and the release of hostages and prisoners, Trump announced Wednesday.
“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. “All Parties will be treated fairly!”
Negotiators from Israel, Hamas, Egypt and Qatar have been meeting in Cairo for days to finalize the U.S.-backed framework. The plan, negotiated by President Trump, seeks to end the two-year war in Gaza and establish a foundation for long-term peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the deal and said, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.”
The agreement’s first phase includes a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and expanded humanitarian aid under international supervision, according to officials cited by Reuters.
It remains unclear whether the sides have resolved other issues, such as Hamas’ potential disarmament and Gaza’s future governance. Both are key demands of the president’s larger proposal.
The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has since killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins.
Trump, who previously unveiled his plan alongside Netanyahu, described it as “the most detailed, enforceable, and fair peace framework ever put forward for Gaza.” The plan outlines 20 steps toward Gaza’s demilitarization and a transitional governing authority supported by regional partners.
Trump has played a direct role in the negotiations, frequently contacting leaders, pressing both sides to adhere to deadlines, and ordering temporary pauses in fighting to enable hostage exchanges. His envoy, businessman Steve Witkoff, has been traveling throughout the Middle East to finalize details.
With the first stage now approved, focus shifts to whether the ceasefire will hold and whether Trump’s “deal of the century, part two” can survive the region’s longstanding conflict.