Israel and Hamas agree to U.S.-brokered plan to end Gaza war after two years of fighting
The first phase of the agreement includes a ceasefire, hostage release, and Israeli troop withdrawal. Netanyahu hails a “great day” and says, “With God’s help, we’re bringing everyone home.”
U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Thursday that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of his peace plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said shortly afterward, “With God’s help, we’re bringing everyone home.”
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw its troops to an agreed-upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace. All parties will be treated fairly. This is a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, all surrounding nations, and the United States of America. We thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey who worked with us to make this historic and unprecedented event happen. Blessed are the peacemakers!”
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US President Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and Khalil Al-Hayya.
(Photo: AFP Brendan Smialowsky, Alex Kolomoyski)
Before the announcement, Trump held a White House press conference where Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed him a note and whispered in his ear. Trump told reporters, “I was just given a note by the secretary of state, saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East and they’re going to need me pretty quickly.”
According to reports by the Associated Press and Sky News, the note referred to a request for Trump to approve a Truth Social post so that he could be the first to announce the Gaza deal.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese network Al Mayadeen reported that Hamas had agreed to the deal, citing “Palestinian resistance sources” who said the signing was expected Thursday in Egypt. A Hamas-linked source told Sky News Arabia that “the Gaza agreement is fully ready.” Saudi channel Al Hadath quoted sources saying Israel and Hamas would sign a ceasefire at noon, while Qatari broadcaster The New Arab reported that Palestinian factions had approved the final text after revisions discussed in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani was photographed shaking hands with Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, a member of the Israeli negotiation team.
A Palestinian source told The New Arab that “the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting is still underway to finalize the wording before the official announcement. The remaining issues regarding Gaza have been resolved, and Trump will soon announce the agreement. Five crossings will immediately open to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, and there are adjustments to Israel’s withdrawal map.”
According to the same source, the agreement stipulates the release of 20 Israeli hostages alive in the first phase. It includes guarantees from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey that neither side will return to fighting as long as the terms are upheld. Trump is expected to declare it a permanent ceasefire. “The agreement is in its final drafting stage before the announcement,” the source added.
