President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have finalized the first phase of his proposed peace plan, pledging to release all hostages and withdraw Israeli forces to an agreed-upon line. The declaration came amid reports that nearly 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed alive.
Trump credited “luck” and “talent” for securing the agreement, which he described as a “Great Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.” He thanked Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their mediation efforts, calling the deal “Historic and Unprecedented.”
The announcement follows two years of conflict that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken. Israel launched a military campaign targeting Hamas, leading to significant devastation in Gaza and a severe humanitarian crisis.
Trump stated that all remaining hostages could be freed as early as Monday, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated his government would review the agreement Thursday. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were reported to have joined negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, ahead of the announcement.
The president emphasized that “all parties will be treated fairly,” framing the deal as a step toward “a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.”