WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Israel has agreed to an initial withdrawal line in Gaza, marking a key step toward a ceasefire and the start of a long-awaited hostage and prisoner exchange with Hamas.

“After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

“When Hamas confirms, the ceasefire will be immediately effective, the hostages and prisoner exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000-year catastrophe,” he added.

Earlier, Trump urged Hamas to act swiftly in the ongoing negotiations over the release of hostages and the peace plan in Gaza.

“I appreciate that Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the hostage release and peace deal a chance to be completed. Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off,” he said.

His remarks followed Hamas’ announcement on Friday that it was ready to release all Israeli captives — both alive and dead — and transfer Gaza’s administration to an independent technocratic Palestinian authority.

However, the group stressed that the enclave’s future and Palestinian rights must be addressed within a broader national framework.

On Friday, Trump gave Hamas until 6 p.m. Washington time (2200GMT) on Sunday to approve his 20-point proposal, which outlines a roadmap for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and Gaza’s post-war governance. — Agencies