U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Israel and Hamas have “both signed off” on the initial phase of a peace plan for Gaza. In a post on Truth Social, Trump indicated that this agreement implies the imminent release of hostages and an Israeli troop withdrawal to a designated line, marking the beginning of efforts toward a lasting peace. This announcement follows three days of indirect negotiations in Egypt, facilitated by representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the U.S., aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
Both parties have confirmed the agreement, although Trump’s statement did not clarify several unresolved issues in the negotiations, such as Hamas’s disarmament and the governance of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the agreement as a “great day,” mentioning plans to convene the government to ratify it and secure the release of hostages.
Hamas has acknowledged that the deal encompasses an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a potential prisoner exchange. They have urged Trump and the mediating nations to ensure Israel fully implements the terms of the agreement. According to a senior White House official, hostages are expected to begin being released on Monday.
Qatari Foreign Minister Majed al-Ansari has noted that additional details regarding the agreement would be disclosed later, suggesting it may lead to an end to hostilities, the release of hostages, and the provision of humanitarian aid. Anticipation for the announcement grew when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a note to Trump during a public event, indicating that they were close to a deal.
In related developments, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported eight fatalities from Israeli fire over the past 24 hours, marking the lowest toll reported in a week. Israeli military operations continue in response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages taken. The toll of deaths reported by Gaza’s health ministry since then exceeds 67,000, with notable casualties among children. However, these figures have been disputed by Israel.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce80rmq3g5qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss