Israel and Hamas Approve Initial Phase of Trump's Gaza Peace Deal

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Israel and Hamas have agreed to the initial stage of US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, involving a ceasefire and hostage exchange, which could potentially lead to the resolution of a devastating two-year-old conflict that has disrupted the Middle East.

Successfully completing this accord would represent a noteworthy foreign policy victory for the Republican president, who ran on a platform of resolving major global conflicts but has faced challenges in delivering swift solutions, both in Gaza and regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

What do we know about the deal?

The accord, if fully implemented, would bring the two sides closer than any previous effort to halt a war that had evolved into a regional conflict, drawing in countries such as Iran, Yemen and Lebanon, deepened Israel’s international isolation and reshaped the Middle East.

But the deal announced by Trump late on Thursday AEDT was short on detail and left many unresolved questions that could still lead to its collapse, as has happened with previous peace efforts.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said on Truth Social.

“This signifies that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will retreat their forces to an established boundary as initial measures towards a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.”

Trump said earlier that a deal was almost done and that he may travel to Egypt this weekend, possibly leaving as soon as Saturday. Axios reported that he may go to Israel as well.

Despite the hopes raised for ending the war, crucial details are yet to be spelled out, including the timing, a post-war administration for the Gaza Strip and the fate of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The accord could facilitate the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, where a global hunger monitor indicated in August that over half a million individuals were suffering from famine.

Hostage release expected within days

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a written statement, referring to the hostages held by Hamas: “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” He said he would convene his government on Thursday to approve the agreement.

Hamas confirmed it had reached an agreement to end the war, saying the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange. But the group called on Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel fully implements the ceasefire, it added in a statement.

“All Parties will be treated fairly!” Trump said on Truth Social. “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.”

A Hamas source revealed that the live captives would be released within 72 hours of the Israeli government’s approval of the deal. However, Hamas officials maintained that retrieving the bodies of deceased hostages, estimated to be around 28, from the ruins of Gaza will take more time.

An Israeli government spokesperson said the hostage release was expected to begin on Saturday.

Trump told Fox News’ Hannity program on Thursday that hostages held in Gaza will probably be released on Monday.

Netanyahu and Trump spoke by phone and congratulated each other on an “historic achievement,” and the Israeli prime minister invited the US president to address Israel’s parliament, according to Netanyahu’s office.

Trump had pushed Netanyahu, to whom he had largely given free rein in Gaza until recently, to make concessions. The conservative Israeli leader has also been under growing pressure from hostage families and, according to opinion polls, a war-weary public.

But Netanyahu has also faced threats from far-right members of his governing coalition to quit the government if he gives up too much to the Palestinians.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to fully adhere to the pursuit of the hostage agreement. “Immediate and unhindered access for humanitarian aid and essential goods into Gaza is imperative. The suffering must cease,” he stated in a message.

Hamas seeks release of Palestinian prisoners

Hamas said earlier on Wednesday it had handed over its lists of the hostages it held and the Palestinian prisoners held by Israel that it wanted to be exchanged.

The list of Palestinians Hamas wants freed was expected to include some of the most prominent prisoners ever jailed by Israel, whose release had been off limits in previous ceasefires.

Hamas has yet to entertain discussions about Israel’s demand for disarmament, with a Palestinian source asserting that Hamas will reject this while Israeli troops occupy Palestinian territories.

Two sources familiar with the talks confirmed that sticking points included the mechanism for the Israeli withdrawal, with Hamas seeking a clear timeline linked to the release of hostages and guarantees of a complete pullout by Israeli forces.

Within Gaza, Israel has dialled down its military campaign at Trump’s behest, but it has not halted strikes altogether.

Arab countries say plan must lead to Palestinian state

The next phase of Trump’s plan calls for an international body led by Trump and including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to play a role in Gaza’s post-war administration. Arab countries which back the plan say it must lead to eventual independence for a Palestinian state, which Netanyahu says will never happen.

There is no clear indication who will rule Gaza when the war ends. Netanyahu, Trump, Western and Arab states have ruled out a role for Hamas, which has run Gaza since driving out Palestinian rivals in 2007.

Hamas has said it would relinquish Gaza governance only to a Palestinian technocrat government supervised by the Palestinian Authority and backed by Arab and Muslim countries. It rejects any role for Blair or foreign rule of Gaza.

Global outrage has mounted against Israel’s assault. Multiple rights experts, scholars and a UN inquiry say it amounts to genocide. Israel calls its actions self-defence after the 2023 Hamas attack.

— With additional reporting from Reuters.