Trump says Israel and Hamas agree on first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal

US President Donald Trump announced on social media that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Qatar, which played a key role in mediating the talks, confirmed that both sides have agreed on “all the provisions and implementation mechanisms” for the initial stage of the plan.

In a statement, Hamas said it had finalised an “agreement that includes ending the war on Gaza, the withdrawal of occupation forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his cabinet on Thursday to approve the ceasefire deal, calling it “a great day for Israel.”

The genocide in Gaza has so far claimed at least 67,183 lives and left 169,841 people injured since October 2023, with thousands more believed to be trapped under rubble. In Israel, 1,139 people were killed and about 200 taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Under the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas will free the 48 Israelis still held captive since the October 7 attack, though only about 20 of them are believed to be alive.

In return, Israel will release Palestinians held in its prisons or detention centers. Following the pattern of the previous truce, roughly 100 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be freed for each Israeli hostage released.

According to the White House, once all hostages have been released, Israel will free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, along with 1,700 Gazans detained after the Hamas assault — including women and children.