Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire: Trump Announces Historic Deal
A major breakthrough in the two-year Gaza conflict as both sides sign the first phase of a ceasefire agreement.
Historic Agreement Reached
A significant step toward ending the two-year Israeli offensive in Gaza has emerged. US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas have signed the first phase of a ceasefire plan.
Trump stated that all Israeli hostages are expected to be released soon under this agreement, while Israeli forces will withdraw to a designated line. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that this is a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, the region, and the United States. He thanked Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their mediation efforts in making this historic and unprecedented agreement possible.
Qatar Confirms the Deal
Majid Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that all terms and implementation procedures of the first phase have been agreed upon. This will enable an end to the war, the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. He added that further details would be announced later.
Israeli Response
According to an Israeli government spokesperson, the release of hostages could begin as early as Saturday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Trump and his team for their crucial role in this sacred mission to free the hostages. Netanyahu announced he would convene a cabinet meeting on Thursday to formally approve the agreement.
Hamas Position
Hamas senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said in Sharm el-Sheikh that his group came for responsible and serious consultations. Their objectives are clear: ending the war, complete Israeli withdrawal, and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all hostages, whether alive or martyred. Hamas called on the United States and other guarantor countries to ensure Israel fully implements the agreement.
Palestinian Reaction at the UN
Majed Bamya, Palestinian Deputy Ambassador to the UN, simply posted “Finally…” followed by a response to a comment saying “I can’t believe it!”
Details of the Plan
Trump’s proposed 20-point plan was presented last week, though Palestinian circles criticized it as largely based on the Israeli narrative. The first point states that Gaza will be made a demilitarized and terrorism-free zone that poses no threat to its neighbors.
Other key points include an international peacekeeping force to monitor stability in Gaza, formation of an interim technocratic government, and rejection of forced displacement of Palestinians. However, the plan proposes a new institution called the “Board of Peace” to be headed by Trump himself, which critics have labeled as colonial in nature. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has also been included in a transition committee.
Ground Reality
Over the two-year conflict, more than 238,000 Palestinians have been killed, injured, or reported missing. Most of Gaza’s population, educational institutions, places of worship, and hospitals have been reduced to rubble. According to the United Nations and numerous genocide experts, this war bears all the hallmarks of systematic genocide against Palestinians.
