President Trump announced on Wednesday that a ceasefire has been achieved between Israel and Hamas, which will enable the release of 20 living hostages and provide relief to nearly 2 million Palestinians residing in the Gaza Strip.
Trump revealed that both parties have agreed to “the first Phase” of a peace initiative he proposed in late September, marking a significant break in over two years of conflict that began with a brutal assault by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and over 250 hostages being taken.
“This agreement ensures all hostages will be freed shortly, and Israel will retract their troops to a mutually decided line, initiating steps towards a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All parties will receive fair treatment!” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“This marks a monumental day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, neighboring countries, and the United States of America. We extend our gratitude to the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who collaborated with us to achieve this historic and unparalleled event. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement shortly thereafter. “With God’s help, we will bring them all home,” he remarked, alluding to the hostages. Hamas is also in possession of the remains of 28 hostages.
Netanyahu said he will convene the government tomorrow “to approve the agreement and bring all our beloved hostages home.”
The ceasefire deal follows an agreement by Hamas and Israel last week to initiate discussions, with key officials arriving in Egypt on Monday to finalize the arrangement.
Full details of the ceasefire deal were not immediately publicized. Majed al-Ansari, adviser to Qatar’s prime minister, said in a post on the social platform X that the details for implementing the first phase of the deal would be announced later, but provisions of the deal will include a halt to the war, the release of hostages by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners by Israel, and a resurgence of aid into Gaza.
Trump said earlier on Wednesday that he could travel to the Middle East this weekend to oversee the ceasefire deal.
The deal comes after Trump intensified diplomatic efforts to halt the war, after Israel carried out strikes against Hamas officials residing in Qatar and without consulting the U.S. Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the strike against a major military ally of the U.S. and the primary negotiator in efforts to end the war.
Netanyahu, under pressure from Trump, agreed to the president’s 20-point plan for ending the war with Hamas. The president relied on a coalition of leaders from Arab, Gulf and Muslim-majority countries to pressure Hamas to also accept the deal.
The ceasefire comes as Israel’s war against Hamas entered its third year on Tuesday. More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, according to Gaza health officials, at least half believed to be women and children.
Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza has turned global public opinion away from the country, after what initially was solidarity in the face of horrific atrocities committed by Hamas against civilians in the south of Israel.
Netanyahu and his former minister of defense, Yoav Gallant, were indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, and a case accusing them of genocide has been brought before the International Court of Justice.
Trump is touting his 20-point plan as a pathway to enduring peace in the Middle East, but Hamas and Israel remain deeply divided on many issues beyond the initial ceasefire. Hamas has not agreed to completely lay down its arms and give up political power in the strip, while Netanyahu has said he will never allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Updated: 7:33 p.m.
