In a significant diplomatic breakthrough following two years of devastating conflict, Israel and Hamas have consented to the initial phase of a ceasefire deal intended to conclude the war in Gaza.
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that both sides “have signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan.” The U.S.-brokered agreement was reached through intensive indirect negotiations and involved several mediators, including Qatar, Turkey and Egypt.
“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 wrote.
“This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America,” Trump said in a Truth Social post, “and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.”
The announcement came hours after Trump told reporters at the White House he was prepared to travel to the Middle East as early as this weekend. He later told Axios he is “likely going to Israel in the coming days” to address the Knesset, describing the deal as “a great day for Israel and for the world.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement was a “diplomatic success and a national and moral victory” for his country.
Negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh
The accord followed days of indirect negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, involving U.S., Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators. Israel and Hamas do not communicate directly, making third-party facilitation essential. Key figures in the talks included U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Egyptian intelligence director Hassan Mahmoud Rashad.
From Israel, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad and Shin Bet leaders, Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser Ophir Falk, and hostages coordinator Gal Hirsch participated. The Hamas delegation was led by Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s exiled Gaza chief. Islamic Jihad representatives, who also hold Israeli captives, were present as well.
Details of the Initial Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Deal
While the precise operational specifics of the troop withdrawal remain to be officially detailed by Israel, a senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided a timeline for the initial implementation. “The deal goes to the Israeli cabinet tomorrow. Once they vote yes, Israel has to withdraw to the line which should take under 24 hours. Then the 72 hour clock begins, and Hamas will try to go earlier if possible. Our assessment is that hostages will begin getting released on Monday.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the cabinet would meet Thursday “to approve the agreement and bring all our beloved hostages home.”
The agreement is believed to hinge on a significant exchange: the release of nearly 50 Israeli hostages, both living and dead, in return for the freedom of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. An official familiar with the details indicated that all living hostages, believed to number about 20, are expected to be released at once, likely on Sunday, while the remains of up to 28 hostages will be returned in stages.
The underlying framework for the deal is President Trump’s sweeping, multi-point peace plan, which calls for a cessation of all military operations, a freezing of battle lines, and a complete staged withdrawal of Israeli forces following the full release of all hostages. Hamas, along with Qatar, one of the mediating countries, indicated that the agreement would also permit the immediate, full entry of aid into Gaza.
International Diplomacy and Mediation
The agreement was the culmination of intensive indirect talks held in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt. Given the lack of direct communication between Israel and Hamas, the negotiations required the concerted efforts of key international and regional players.
The U.S. delegation was led by President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who served as Middle East envoy during Trump’s first term. Regional mediation was provided by key officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. President Trump specifically acknowledged the contribution of the regional partners, stating, “we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.”
The involvement of Turkey’s national intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, highlights an increased role for the NATO member, which maintains close contacts with Hamas. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also played a central role as a long-standing mediator.
Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan
The agreement marks the first implementation phase of Trump’s 20-point “Peace Plan,” unveiled last month. The plan calls for Israeli forces to withdraw to agreed positions, a full suspension of military operations, and the release of all hostages—alive and dead—within 72 hours of the ceasefire. Once completed, Israel is to free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans arrested during the war.
Members of Hamas “who commit to peaceful coexistence” and surrender their weapons will be granted amnesty, while those seeking to leave Gaza will receive safe passage to other countries. The plan also stipulates that aid deliveries into Gaza will resume at full volume through U.N. agencies without interference from either side.
A “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump and possibly including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is envisioned to oversee implementation. The agreement affirms that “Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza,” and that Israeli forces will hand over control of the territory to an International Stabilization Force once the ceasefire is secured.
Uncertainties and Hamas position
Despite the announced breakthrough, significant long-term complexities remain unresolved. Hamas stated that the agreement would lead to the end of the war and Israel’s withdrawal from the territory, calling on the mediating parties “to fully implement the agreement’s requirements.”
However, core security issues have yet to be discussed in depth. Hamas has publicly rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demand that it disarm, and there was no public mention of the militant group’s weapons in the statements issued by Israel, the U.S., Qatar, or Hamas. The implementation of the broader peace plan, which includes elements such as amnesty for Hamas members “who commit to peaceful coexistence” and the eventual handing over of Gaza territory to an International Stabilization Force, is expected to face future obstacles.

The Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting more than 250. Israel’s military campaign has since killed over 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which reports that most of the dead are women and children. The conflict has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population and left the enclave in ruins.
Scenes of Relief and Celebration
News of the ceasefire sparked emotional reactions across the region. In Gaza, residents poured into the streets in celebration. “It’s a huge day, huge joy,” said Ahmed Sheheiber, a displaced Palestinian in Gaza City, crying as he heard the news. In Khan Younis, Ayman Saber said, “I can’t believe the news,” while in Al-Mawasi, people chanted “Allahu Akbar” and fired celebratory rounds into the air.
In Israel, families of hostages wept with relief as they awaited confirmation of release schedules. Trump told Axios that Prime Minister Netanyahu “is so happy. He should be. It is a great achievement. The whole world has come together to reach this deal, including countries that were enemies.”
Montaser Bahja, an English teacher displaced in Khan Younis, captured the mood across Gaza: “Joy for the end of the war and the killing, and sorrow for everything we’ve lost.”