Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a US-brokered peace plan that would see the release of the remaining Israeli hostages and thousands of Palestinian prisoners, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops in Gaza to an agreed upon line.
The agreement would also see the implementation of a ceasefire, and the admittance of a “surge” of aid into the Gaza strip.
Making the announcement of his social media platform, Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of the peace plan.
“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,” Mr Trump said, adding that “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, and 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,” he wrote.
As reported by AFP, a source close to the negotiations has said that the first phase of the deal will see Hamas release 20 living hostages as part of the first phase of the deal, while Israel is expected to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Hundreds of aid trucks will be permitted daily entry to the Gaza strip immediately following the ceasefire, while displaced persons within Gaza will also be able to move more freely within the strip.
The 20-point plan unveiled by President Trump late last month further called for the disarmament of Hamas and Israel’s gradual withdrawal from the territory of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, posting on social media, thanked President Trump for enabling the parties to reach this “critical turning point”.
The Israeli cabinet is expected to meet later today to authorise the deal, after which IDF forces will be required to withdraw within 24 hours to a line agreed upon with Hamas.
Meanwhile, Palestinian authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcement, thanking Trump and the other national mediators for their efforts, confirming his authority’s readiness to work “in order to achieve stability and a lasting and just peace in accordance with international law.”
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