Trump Unveils Fresh Gaza Peace Agreement
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump declared that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the initial phase of a ceasefire in Gaza, following several days of indirect negotiations in Egypt.
Qatar, which assisted in brokering the agreement alongside Egypt, the United States, and Turkey, stated that this marks the “first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, aimed at concluding the conflict, facilitating the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, and allowing aid to enter”.
“ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will pull back their Troops to a predetermined line as initial steps towards a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump expressed on his Truth Social platform.
A Palestinian source close to the discussions indicated that Hamas will release 20 living hostages simultaneously as part of the first phase of the agreement.
An official within Hamas informed AFP that Israel is set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners: including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained since the onset of the conflict.
The exchange is expected to occur within 72 hours of the agreement’s implementation, which was also “endorsed by Palestinian factions,” another Hamas source stated.
A minimum of 400 trucks of aid will enter the Gaza Strip during the first five days of the ceasefire, with an increase anticipated in subsequent days, according to the same source.
The deal also ensures the “return of displaced persons from southern Gaza to Gaza City and the northern regions immediately,” they added.
According to the Hamas official, the agreement outlines “scheduled withdrawals” of Israeli troops and includes “guarantees from President Trump and the mediators”.
Hamas, in an official statement, urged Trump to ensure Israel fully adheres to the agreement and “does not circumvent or delay the implementation of what has been finalized”.
Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari stated that both parties have already reached consensus “on all provisions and implementation mechanisms of the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to convene his government on Thursday to endorse the agreement.
The deal is slated to be formally signed on Thursday around midday in Egypt, a source familiar with the agreement told AFP on the condition of anonymity.
A Hamas representative noted that discussions regarding the second phase of the ceasefire would commence “immediately”.
Trump mentioned on Wednesday that he believes all hostages, including the deceased, will be “returning” on Monday.
Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza called for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages held in Gaza, disarmament of Hamas, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the territory.