US President Donald Trump has declared that Israel and Hamas have reached a significant breakthrough in their negotiations on the first phase of a Gaza peace plan. The White House had previously released a comprehensive 2,000-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict, which called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian enclave. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that both sides have consented to the release of all Israeli hostages and that Israel has agreed to withdraw troops from Gaza to an agreed-upon line. He called the decision the ‘first steps towards a strong, durable, and everlasting peace.’ Trump also thanked mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye for their role in the talks, which have been ongoing in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, since Monday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said he’s considering a trip to the Middle East in the coming days. ‘I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday, actually,’ he said during a White House event, adding that the talks have been ‘going along very well.’ Hamas killed around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to recent figures from the local Hamas-run health authorities.
According to Israeli media, around 20 of the 48 remaining hostages are believed to be alive. The agreement, however, has been met with cautious optimism from various international stakeholders, given the high stakes and the historical volatility of the region. Analysts warn that while the agreement marks a significant development, the implementation of the plan will require sustained diplomatic efforts and adherence to the terms agreed upon by both parties.