Israel and Hamas agree to initial phase of Trump's Gaza peace plan

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange plan — a move that could mark the beginning of the end for a two-year conflict that has devastated the region.

The agreement was reached on Wednesday following several days of indirect negotiations in Cairo, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. It comes just one day after the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to a prolonged Israeli military campaign that has left much of Gaza in ruins and killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to local authorities.
The deal represents the first concrete progress under Trump’s 20-point “Peace for Gaza” framework, which aims to secure an enduring ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. If fully implemented, the agreement could reshape regional dynamics and potentially ease tensions involving Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon, all of which have been drawn into the broader conflict.
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “This means that all 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, who has described the plan as a “historic breakthrough,” said he plans to travel to Egypt this weekend to oversee the next stage of talks. “All parties will be treated fairly,” he said, thanking mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their role in facilitating the deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement, saying in a statement, “With God’s help, we will bring all of our people home.” He added that his cabinet would meet Thursday to formally approve the terms of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
Hamas confirmed the deal in its own statement, saying it included an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, the release of prisoners, and guarantees by international mediators to ensure that Israel abides by the truce. The group urged Washington and the guarantor states to “ensure full implementation and prevent any violation by the occupying forces.”
Despite the announcement, analysts warn that critical issues remain unresolved. Questions persist over who will govern Gaza after the withdrawal, how reconstruction will be managed, and what political role Hamas will retain under any new administrative arrangement. There are also doubts about whether Israel’s far-right coalition partners will support the ceasefire, given their opposition to concessions involving Hamas.
If successful, the accord could stand as a major diplomatic win for Trump, who has pledged to end major global conflicts if reelected in November. The war in Gaza has left Israel increasingly isolated on the international stage. while fueling humanitarian crises and geopolitical instability across the Middle East.