Former President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Israel and Hamas have agreed to begin implementing the first phase of a White House-brokered peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza. As part of the deal, Israeli hostages are set to be released “very soon.”
Trump said Israel would withdraw troops from Gaza “to an agreed upon line,” calling the agreement “a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.” He thanked mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for helping reach the deal.
First Phase: Hostage Exchange
The initial stage calls for the release of Israeli hostages within 72 hours in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Once all hostages are freed, Hamas members who surrender their weapons will receive amnesty under the plan.
War Background
The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has since killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
There are currently 48 hostages remaining in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive.
Netanyahu Welcomes Deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for his role in the negotiations and expressed hope for broader peace with neighboring countries. “A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home,” he said.
Negotiations
Hamas has indicated a willingness to hand over governance of Gaza to a coalition of Palestinian technocrats but has not fully committed to disarming. Negotiations were held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff representing the U.S.
Trump said he considered a last-minute trip to the Middle East to finalize the agreement.
“Our final negotiation is with Hamas, and it seems to be going well,” he said. “This deal only works if Hamas follows through. We don’t trust terrorists, we trust results.”
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.