Gaza latest: Trump says ‘first steps’ of ceasefire deal agreed with Israel preparing to receive hostages from Hamas
US president Donald Trump on Wednesday said Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of a peace deal to pause fighting and begin releasing hostages and prisoners.
“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,” Mr Trump wrote on social media.
According to people familiar with the talks, Hamas is expected to release all 20 living hostages within days as Israeli troops pull back from most of Gaza. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “With God’s help we will bring them all home.”
Hamas confirmed that the agreement includes troop withdrawal, prisoner exchanges, and the entry of aid.
The Israeli military warned civilians not to return to northern Gaza, calling it “a dangerous combat zone.”
UN General Assembly president Annalena Baerbock welcomed the deal as “a ray of hope after more than 700 days of death, destruction and despair”, as she sought “the immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid”.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, families of captives chanted “Nobel prize to Trump” while celebrating the announcement.
