Srinagar: Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal that could open the way to ending a bloody two-year-old war that has upended the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump has said that Israel and Hamas have both agreed to the first phase of what he described as a “Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” marking what could be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in the region in years, reports BBC.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump wrote: “Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. 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. All Parties will be treated fairly!”
Calling it “a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America,” Trump thanked mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey “who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen,” concluding his message with: “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
The breakthrough follows intensive negotiations in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, where mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been working to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 67,183 people — including 20,179 children — have been killed in Israeli military operations since then.
The talks come two years and two days of war between Israel and Hamas after Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 Israelis and took 251 others hostage.
Hamas, in a statement cited by BBC, quoting CBS confirmed that it had agreed to the first phase of the plan. The group said the agreement would “end the war on Gaza, ensure the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and implement a prisoner exchange.”
It thanked Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and President Trump for their mediation efforts, and called on Washington and other parties “to ensure that the Israeli occupation government fully complies with the terms of the agreement.”
