Israel and Hamas have agreed to the initial phase of a ceasefire plan in Gaza, halting hostilities in the devastated territory and offering the best hope yet of ending a two-year conflict that has killed tens of thousands and destabilised the Middle East. Donald Trump announced the agreement on his Truth Social network, saying all hostages held in Gaza would be released 'very soon' and Israel would withdraw troops to an agreed timeline as a first step towards a 'Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace'.
Hamas confirmed on Thursday that it had agreed to the US president's proposal, which includes an Israeli withdrawal from the territory and a hostage-prisoner exchange. The Israeli government said 'all parties' had signed the final draft of phase one in Egypt on Thursday morning. The ceasefire will take effect once ratified by the Israeli cabinet, which is scheduled to convene at 6pm BST on Thursday. An Israeli government spokesperson said the ceasefire would come into force within 24 hours of the cabinet meeting, with 20 hostages believed to still be alive freed within 72 hours.
Israel's forces will withdraw to an agreed line in the Gaza Strip, leaving them in control of 53% of the territory. In exchange, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, but senior Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti will not be among them. Hamas called on Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel fully implements the ceasefire, accusing it of 'manipulating' parts of the deal. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Al Jazeera Arabic that the group was seeking guarantees from international mediators.
In Tel Aviv, families of hostages and their supporters celebrated the news, chanting 'Nobel prize to Trump' and popping champagne. 'I'm feeling fantastic, it feels like I'm in a dream,' said Margo Orton, a retired nursery teacher holding US and Israeli flags. In Gaza, Palestinians reacted with joy and disbelief. 'Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing,' said Abdul Majeed abd Rabbo in Khan Younis. Trump hailed the deal as a 'great day' for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, and the US, thanking mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. UN chief António Guterres welcomed the agreement, calling on all parties to 'abide fully' by its terms. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as a moment of 'profound relief' and urged full implementation without delay.
