Israel and Hamas each agreed to the first phase of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war, with Hamas set to release all 20 living hostages as Israeli troops withdraw from most of Gaza, according to the president and sources who spoke to The Associated Press.
“Friday or Saturday, Hamas is slated to release all the living hostages,” Jacob Olidort, Director of American Security at the America First Policy Institute, stated..
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the president for his commitment to releasing hostages.
In an interview hours after the announcement, Trump spoke optimistically about the peace deal: “Gaza, we believe, is going to be a much safer place, and it’s going to be a place that reconstructs, and other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous amounts of wealth and they want to see that happen.”
Trump shared the news on Truth Social Wednesday night. “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. 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.
“All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
Trump also posted a video message from families of hostages held by Hamas to Truth Social. “Today, Donald Trump has done it. He announced just now, that our loved ones, the hostages, are coming home,” a family member said. “We will not stop fighting until we see the last of the 48 return to their family.”
Hours earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Trump a handwritten note during an unrelated White House roundtable event. Video shows Rubio presenting Trump the note and whispering in his ear.
“I was just given a note by the secretary of state, saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East and they’re going to need me pretty quickly,” Trump said before taking more questions.
The note, according to The Associated Press, said: “You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.” Trump soon shared the update on his social media platform.
“Peace for the Middle East. That’s a beautiful phrase and we hope it’s going to come true,” he said during the roundtable.
Trump said he is considering traveling to the Middle East as negotiations continue. “I may go there sometime toward the end of the week. Maybe on Sunday, actually, and we’ll see. But there’s a very good chance that negotiations are going along very well. We’re dealing with Hamas,” Trump said.
“We have a great team over there, great negotiators, and there are, unfortunately, great negotiators on the other side also,” the president added. “But it’s something I think that will happen. Got a good chance of happening.”
Earlier Wednesday, the United States’ top Middle East adviser, the prime minister of Qatar, and other senior officials joined the third day of peace talks between Israel and Hamas at an Egyptian resort, signaling negotiators aim to address the toughest issues of an American plan to stop the conflict.
Hamas said it seeks firm guarantees from mediators that Israel won’t resume its military campaign in Palestinian territory after the terrorist group releases all remaining hostages.
All sides have expressed optimism for a deal ending the two-year war that has left upward of 65,000 people dead and most of Gaza Strip destroyed.
Key parts of the peace plan remain unresolved, including Hamas disarmament requirements, timing and extent of Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and creation of an international body to govern the territory after Hamas steps down.
Israel Defense Forces stated the nation remains under attack. “In the past hour, four UAVs were launched from Yemen, and rockets were fired from Gaza earlier today, a reminder that our fight for safety and peace continues,” Israel’s army wrote on X on the two-year anniversary, adding that more than 1,200 people were killed October 7, 2023, including 292 soldiers.
While 251 people were taken as hostages, 48 remain in captivity.
Over the weekend, Trump said Israel agreed to an “initial withdrawal line” in Gaza, noting that ceasefire and hostage exchange will begin once Hamas confirms the plan.
“After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas,” Trump posted on Truth Social late Saturday. “When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 YEAR CATASTROPHE.”
Israel’s army announced plans Saturday to start the first phase of Trump’s plan. “In accordance with the directives from the political echelon, the Chief of the General Staff instructed to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of the hostages,” IDF wrote on X.
The developments come after Hamas agreed to some elements of Trump’s 20-point plan, with Trump then ordering Israel to stop bombing Gaza Strip.
Trump urged Hamas to act quickly, “or else all bets will be off.” “I appreciate that Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the Hostage release and Peace Deal a chance to be completed,” he wrote on Truth Social Saturday. “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off. I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!”
