Donald Trump confirms Israel, Hamas have signed off on Gaza peace deal

US President Donald Trump has confirmed Israel and Hamas have both agreed to the “first phase” of his Gaza peace plan.

The breakthrough comes two years and two days after Hamas launched an attack inside Israel that killed more than 1200 people and led to 251 others being taken back to Gaza as hostages.

Israel responded by launching a military attack in Gaza that has led to the deaths of an estimated 67,000 people.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“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!

“This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”

Mr Trump said he may travel to the Middle East this weekend to complete the agreement.

Shortly after Mr Trump’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on social media.

“A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home,” Mr Netanyahu wrote in a translated statement.

“I thank the heroic soldiers of the IDF and all the security forces, thanks to whose courage and sacrifice we have reached this day.

“I thank from the depths of my heart President Trump and his team for their mobilization for this sacred mission of releasing our hostages.

“With the help of the Almighty, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbors.”

In an additional post, Mr Netanyahu wrote: “With God’s help we will bring them all home.

The announcement came soon after Mr Trump was interrupted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio while hosting an Antifa roundtable at the White House on Wednesday.

Mr Rubio handed the President a note while whispering a message in his ear.

The room, filled with journalists erupted with questions before Mr Trump revealed the contents of the note.

“I was just given a note by the Secretary of State saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East,” Mr Trump told the room filled with journalists.

“They’re going to need me pretty quickly, so I will take a couple more questions.”

Mr Trump took a few more questions before being rushed to the Oval Office.

Peace deal

Peace talks between Hamas and Israel at an Egyptian Red Sea beach resort since Monday had focused on the implementation of a 20-point proposal presented by Mr Trump last month.

Some aspects remain a point of conjecture, including Hamas’ disarmament, the timing of an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and the formation of an international body to govern Gaza after Hamas steps down.

Hamas had sought assurances from Mr Trump and mediators that Israel will not resume military actions in Gaza after the hostage release.

Mr Trump’s plan called for an international body led by Mr Trump himself and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to play a role in Gaza’s post-war administration.

Arab countries, which back the plan, said it must lead to eventual independence for a Palestinian state, which Mr Netanyahu says will never happen.

Mr Netanyahu, Mr Trump and Western and Arab states have ruled out a role for Hamas, which has run Gaza since driving out Palestinian rivals in 2007.

Hamas has said it was ready to relinquish Gaza governance, but only to a Palestinian technocrat government supervised by the Palestinian Authority and backed by Arab and Muslim countries, as per a longstanding Egyptian proposal.

It rejected any role for Mr Blair or foreign rule of Gaza.

Among those participating in the peace talks were US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Middle East adviser Jared Kushner, and senior officials from Washington and Qatar, including the Qatari Prime Minister.

Representatives from militant groups such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both holding Israeli hostages, were also expected to join talks at some point.

Hamas has submitted a list of prisoners it wants released in exchange for Israeli hostages, including Marwan Barghouti, a high-profile terrorist serving five life sentences. The group has also demanded the return of the bodies of former leaders Yahya and Muhammad Sinwar.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces are preparing to receive Gaza hostages at Camp Re’im near the Gaza border, according to the Walla news site.

Trump may travel to Egypt

Mr Trump said on Wednesday, before announcing the ceasefire agreement, that he would potentially travel to the Middle East to sign the peace deal.

“I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday, actually,” Mr Trump told reporters.

“We’ll see, but there is a very good chance.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended an invitation to Mr Trump to attend the signing of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Speaking at an Egyptian Police Academy graduation, Mr Al-Sisi said, “It would be truly wonderful if, should an agreement be reached, you could attend its signing.”

He praised Mr Trump’s efforts to end the war.