Israel, Hamas agree to ceasefire, hostage deal in first step of Trump’s Gaza peace plan

Israel and Hamas on Wednesday confirmed they had agreed to a long-awaited cease-fire and hostage deal, the first step in US President Donald Trump’s sweeping 20-point plan to end the devastating war in Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 people.

The agreement comes a day after the second anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 cross-border assault that triggered Israel’s massive military campaign in Gaza. It also marks the first tangible breakthrough in Trump’s effort to bring an end to one of the region’s deadliest and most destabilising conflicts.

Under the initial phase of Trump’s plan, Israel and Hamas will stop fighting, hostages will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, and Israeli forces will begin a phased withdrawal from Gaza.

“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 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 thanked mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, calling the deal a “GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.”

In a Fox News interview, Trump said the hostage releases would “probably” begin Monday. “This is more than Gaza,” he said. “This is peace in the Middle East.”

According to the US-brokered framework, Hamas will release all hostages, including the remains of those killed, in exchange for Israel freeing more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The plan offers amnesty to Hamas members who surrender their weapons and safe passage for those choosing to leave Gaza.

The deal envisions an international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing a transitional technocratic administration in Gaza.

An international force made up of Arab and global partners would secure borders, train Palestinian police and supervise Hamas’ disarmament.

Israel would maintain a limited “security perimeter presence” along Gaza’s boundaries, while large-scale humanitarian aid and reconstruction would begin under international supervision.

The plan guarantees that Palestinians will not be expelled and calls for Gaza’s redevelopment under a special economic zone meant to attract investment and create jobs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government on Thursday to approve the deal.

“With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home,” he said. “This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.”

Hamas confirmed the agreement, saying it includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the exchange of hostages and prisoners. “The sacrifices of our people will not be in vain,” the group said in a statement. “We will remain true to our pledge — never abandoning our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved.”