Israel and Hamas Agree to Historic Peace Deal: 20 Israeli Hostages to be Freed in 72 Hours as Trump’s Plan Takes Shape
- US President Donald Trump announces Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of his Gaza peace plan
- 20 Israeli hostages held in Gaza expected to be released within 72 hours as part of the deal
- Israel to withdraw troops to an agreed-upon line, paving the way for a potential end to the Gaza war
In a dramatic breakthrough, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, paving the way for the release of 20 Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The deal, announced by Trump, marks a significant step towards ending the Gaza war, which has ravaged the region since October 2023.
Under the agreement, Israel will withdraw its troops to an agreed-upon line, allowing for the release of the hostages within 72 hours. The deal has been hailed as a major breakthrough, with Trump describing it as “the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace”.
The agreement has brought hope to the families of the hostages, who have been waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is a hostage, wrote on social media: “Matan is coming home. To me, to [his sisters] Natalie and Shani. To [his partner] Ilana, the love of his life.”
Liran Berman, the older brother of twin hostages Gali and Ziv Berman, also expressed his joy, writing: “My Gali and Zivi, I love you so much. You are coming home.”
The deal has also been welcomed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who urged all sides to adhere to the agreement. “All hostages must be released in a dignified manner. A permanent ceasefire must be secured. The fighting must stop once and for all,” he said.
However, the full details of the plan are yet to be announced, and there are still many sticking points that could potentially derail the agreement. The status of other points in the plan, such as requiring Hamas to disarm and hand the rule of Gaza over to a temporary foreign-led transitional body, remains unclear.
Despite the uncertainty, the agreement has brought a sense of hope to the region, with many believing it could mark the beginning of the end of the Gaza war. As Trump wrote on social media: “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.”