WASHINGTON / JERUSALEM / GAZA CITY — After two years of devastating conflict, Israel and Hamas have reached a preliminary agreement to end hostilities in Gaza and exchange hostages and prisoners, President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday night on Truth Social.
The accord — brokered in Egypt with mediation from Qatar and Turkey — marks the first major breakthrough in negotiations since the war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people.
Trump, who called the deal a “historic and unprecedented event,” said the first phase would include the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. “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,” Trump wrote.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as “a great day for Israel” and announced that his government would convene Thursday to ratify the deal.
“With God’s help we will bring them all home,” Netanyahu said, confirming he had a “warm and emotional” call with Trump, whom he credited with “unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages.”
Hamas, in a statement, thanked the mediators and praised Trump’s involvement, urging all parties to ensure Israel “fully implements the agreement’s requirements and does not delay its execution.”
A senior Israeli source told CNN that the release of hostages was expected within 48 to 72 hours of government approval, potentially by Sunday.
The agreement follows a 20-point peace plan developed by Trump’s team — including special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner — in coordination with Israeli negotiator Ron Dermer and Arab intermediaries.
Under the plan, Hamas will begin to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza, which will temporarily be administered by an international trusteeship overseen by the United States and regional partners.
Israel will release approximately 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, as well as 1,700 others detained since the start of the war.
Trump, who hinted he may travel to the Middle East this weekend, said the deal is “a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, all surrounding nations and the United States of America.”
The war has left Gaza in ruins, with more than 67,000 Palestinians killed and hundreds of thousands displaced, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.
Trump said regional powers, including wealthy Gulf states, would take the lead in rebuilding the enclave, though he did not specify which countries. “Gaza is going to be a much safer place,” he told Fox News. “Other countries in the area will help reconstruct it — they have tremendous wealth and want to see that happen.”
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been described as “catastrophic” by aid agencies, including Doctors Without Borders, which has warned of collapsing hospitals and widespread malnutrition.
The agreement represents the most significant diplomatic milestone of Trump’s second term and comes amid skepticism about the feasibility of long-term peace in the region.
While both sides have committed to the initial steps, future phases — including Hamas’s full disarmament and the establishment of a new governing body in Gaza — remain contentious.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has invited Trump to attend a signing ceremony in Cairo, while Netanyahu has asked him to address the Israeli Knesset.
