President Donald Trump on Saturday announced Israel has agreed to the “initial withdrawal line” in Gaza, which the U.S. has shared with Hamas.
Pending Hamas confirmation, the agreement will trigger an immediate ceasefire and exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
“After discussions, Israel has consented to the initial pullback boundary, which has been presented to and shared with Hamas. Once Hamas confirms, the ceasefire will take effect immediately, initiating the Hostage and Prisoner Exchange process, and we will set the scene for the next withdrawal phase, bringing us closer to ending this 3,000-YEAR TRAGEDY,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday. “Thank you for your attention to this matter and, STAY TUNED!”
Trump shared a photo of the proposed initial withdrawal map. (White House)
In the plan’s second stage, Netanyahu stated that Hamas will be disarmed and the Gaza strip demilitarized—achieved either through diplomatic measures under the Trump Plan or, if necessary, through military action.
“I also said this in Washington: Either it will be achieved the easy way, or it will be achieved the hard way—but it will be achieved,” he said.
President Donald Trump announced Israel has agreed to the Gaza withdrawal terms. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
“Together, we have thwarted our enemies’ destructive plans. From Gaza to Rafah, Beirut to Damascus, and from Yemen to Tehran, we have accomplished remarkable achievements,” Netanyahu continued. “From triumph to triumph—we are transforming the Middle East together. We will persist in our efforts to secure Israel’s permanence.”
Netanyahu thanked Trump for his assistance in dispatching the B2 planes to bomb the nuclear facility in Fordo, and for his “steadfast support.”
