Trump Hails ‘Historic’ Ceasefire U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have reached a long-awaited deal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release under his administration’s plan to end the two-year-old war in the Palestinian enclave. The announcement, made just a day after the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, signals the most significant diplomatic breakthrough of the conflict.
​The agreement, reportedly secured during indirect talks held in Egypt, covers the initial stage of a 20-point peace framework proposed by the Trump administration.
​Hostage Release and Troop WithdrawalÂ
​President Trump confirmed the breakthrough via a post on Truth Social, hailing the agreement as a major step toward lasting peace.
​“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump wrote. “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.”
​The deal reportedly calls for Hamas to release the estimated 20 living Israeli hostages (and the remains of others) in the coming days, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. It also requires the Israeli military to begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza.
​Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement, focusing on the release of those abducted by Hamas. He stated on social media, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Netanyahu’s office also announced the Prime Minister had invited the U.S. President to address Israel’s parliament.
​Hamas confirmed its agreement to the deal, calling on President Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel fully implements the ceasefire, which includes Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid.
​The accord, if successfully completed, would be President Trump’s most consequential foreign policy success since taking office in January, following his pledge to quickly end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The negotiations were facilitated by senior envoys from the U.S., Qatar, and Turkey at the Sharm el-Sheikh resort in Egypt.
