CAIRO — US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of a US-proposed Gaza peace plan, marking what he called “a great day” for the Middle East and the world.
“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 his Truth Social platform.
“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 all mediators — including Türkiye, Qatar, and Egypt — for their roles in reaching the deal.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” he said, calling it “a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, surrounding nations, and the United States.”
The announcement came after indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas resumed Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with the participation of Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, Egyptian intelligence head Hassan Rashad, and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
Under the 20-point plan unveiled on Sept. 29, all Israeli captives in Gaza are to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, followed by a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and the rebuilding of Gaza under international supervision.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Hamas confirmed it had agreed to the first phase of the plan.
“Hamas announces that an agreement has been reached providing for an end to the war on Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupiers, the entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange,” the group said on Telegram.
The statement thanked mediators in Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye, and praised Trump’s efforts “for a final end to the war and the complete withdrawal of the occupying Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.”
“We emphasize that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain,” Hamas added, pledging to remain committed to Palestinian rights and self-determination.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his Cabinet on Thursday to formally approve the deal, calling it “a great day for Israel.”
“This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory,” Netanyahu said on X, thanking Trump for his “leadership, partnership, and unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also welcomed the agreement, thanking “the heroic soldiers” and expressing hope for the imminent return of Israeli hostages.
The Israeli military said it is preparing to carry out the release operation “with sensitivity and professionalism.”
Trump told reporters he may travel to the Middle East this weekend “to help finalize the deal.”
The White House later confirmed he is considering a regional trip following a scheduled medical visit on Friday.
Axios reported that Trump could also visit Israel and deliver a speech at the Knesset.
“They want me to give a speech at the Knesset and I will definitely do that if they want me to,” Trump said, calling his recent phone call with Netanyahu “great.”
A White House official told Anadolu that if Israel’s Cabinet approves the deal Thursday, troops will withdraw to the agreed line within 24 hours, and Hamas will begin releasing hostages within 72 hours, likely starting Monday.
About 250 hostages were taken during Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack, with around 50 believed to remain in Gaza, including 20 thought to be alive.
More than 11,000 Palestinians are currently detained in Israeli prisons, according to rights group HaMoked.
Trump said he is “very confident” the Gaza deal will pave the way for a wider Middle East peace, including potential normalization with Iran.
“I believe Iran is going to be a part of the whole peace situation,” he told Fox News.
“Countries that didn’t get along are now involved, and it’s brought the whole world together.”
The US president said Gaza will be rebuilt into “a much safer place,” with regional nations contributing to reconstruction. “We’ll help make it successful and keep it peaceful,” he said.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and rendered Gaza largely uninhabitable. — Agencies
