President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a significant agreement has been reached to begin ending the two-year conflict in Gaza. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed pride in revealing that both Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan. He stated that this agreement will lead to the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to a designated line, marking steps toward a lasting peace.
Trump emphasized that all parties involved would be treated fairly, calling it a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, neighboring nations, and the United States. He thanked mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their roles in achieving this historic agreement.
In the coming days, Trump plans to travel to Israel and may address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. If he speaks there, it would be the first time a sitting U.S. president has done so in nearly two decades, with the last being George W. Bush in 2008.
Negotiations have been ongoing in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where representatives from Israel and Hamas have been working closely with mediators to finalize the details of the peace framework. The first phase of the deal is set to be presented to the Israeli cabinet for approval. As part of this agreement, Hamas is expected to release 20 living hostages over the weekend. However, the return of 28 deceased hostages remains uncertain, as it is unclear if Hamas can locate their bodies.
Once the Israeli cabinet approves the deal, Israel’s military will have 24 hours to withdraw from Gaza to a previously agreed boundary. The initial phase also includes a proposed exchange of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel for the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
Reports indicate that negotiations have faced challenges, particularly concerning the release of the deceased hostages. Israeli officials have expressed concerns about Hamas’s ability to retrieve all the bodies.
In the lead-up to the announcement, diplomats gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, with key figures like Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and former adviser Jared Kushner present. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin also joined the discussions.
Photos from the negotiation room captured moments of joy and mutual respect, including a handshake between Qatari and Israeli negotiators, highlighting a significant step toward cooperation despite recent tensions.
A senior White House official confirmed that the Israeli cabinet is expected to vote on the agreement soon. If approved, the timeline for the military withdrawal will begin immediately, aiming to be completed within 24 hours.
