President Donald Trump of the United States has revealed that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the initial phase of a peace initiative aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees.
This development stems from Trump’s recently introduced 20-point strategy to halt the Gaza conflict, a plan that has garnered broad support from Israel, Hamas, and the international community.
The ongoing conflict has tragically resulted in over 67,000 fatalities, with numerous human rights organizations and a United Nations commission labeling the violence as genocidal.
Key Developments on Wednesday
Trump announced that both Israel and Hamas have consented to the first step of his ceasefire proposal for Gaza.
In a message posted on Truth Social at 23:17 GMT, he stated that all captives would be freed “very soon” and that Israeli forces would retreat to a mutually agreed boundary as part of the arrangement.
Earlier that day, Trump informed the press of his readiness to visit the Middle East as early as the weekend to facilitate the peace process.
He initially presented his comprehensive 20-point peace plan on September 29, following discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, positioning it as a pathway to end hostilities in Gaza.
The prospect of progress became more tangible during a White House gathering on Wednesday when Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Trump a note, encouraging him to promptly announce the deal on Truth Social to be the first to break the news.
After reading the note, Trump told reporters, “I was just handed a message from the secretary of state indicating we are very close to a Middle East agreement, and they will need me soon.”
He concluded the event by stating, “I must now depart to address some pressing issues in the Middle East.”
Details of the Agreement as Stated by Trump
In his Truth Social announcement, Trump outlined the following points:
- Both Israel and Hamas have endorsed the initial phase of the peace plan.
- All hostages will be released imminently.
- Israeli troops will withdraw to a pre-agreed boundary line.
- This marks the first step toward establishing a lasting and robust peace.
- Fair treatment will be ensured for all parties involved.
- Gratitude was expressed to mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their efforts.
This announcement signifies the most substantial diplomatic achievement Trump has made in his eight-month endeavor to broker peace in the region. During his re-election campaign, he emphasized ending the Gaza conflict as a key foreign policy objective.
“I am proud to declare that Israel and Hamas have both agreed to the first phase of our Peace Plan… BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/lAUxi1UPYh
– The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 8, 2025
Outstanding Questions and Challenges
While the ceasefire deal has sparked optimism for peace, several critical issues remain unresolved.
Marwan Bishara, a senior political analyst at Al Jazeera, noted that significant disagreements persist between Israel and Hamas, particularly regarding the timeline and scope of Israeli troop withdrawal, the governance structure for Gaza post-conflict, and Hamas’s future role.
He remarked, “The initial phase seems to be progressing, with both sides agreeing on some framework for a prisoner exchange.”
However, Bishara highlighted a key sticking point: “According to the plan, the war should end once Hamas releases the captives, but Israel insists the conflict will only conclude after Hamas is disarmed.”
Timeline for Hostage Release
On Fox News’ Sean Hannity show, Trump suggested that the release of captives, including the return of deceased individuals’ remains, could occur as early as Monday.
A Hamas insider indicated that surviving hostages would be freed within 72 hours following Israeli government approval of the agreement, with Israeli officials anticipating the process to commence on Saturday.
Trump also mentioned that Iran might play a role in the broader peace framework.
Currently, approximately 20 Israeli captives are believed to be alive in Gaza. Hamas and allied Palestinian groups captured around 250 individuals during their October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, which resulted in over 1,100 deaths.
Reactions from Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the development as “a great day for Israel.”
In a statement released late Wednesday, he expressed deep gratitude to President Trump and his team for their commitment to securing the hostages’ freedom.
“With divine assistance, we will continue to fulfill all our objectives and strengthen peace with our neighbors,” Netanyahu affirmed.
With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.
From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals…
– Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 8, 2025
Hamas’s Response
Hamas issued a statement confirming that the agreement includes “an end to the Gaza war, withdrawal of occupation forces, entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange.”
The group expressed appreciation for the mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and President Trump, urging all parties to ensure the agreement’s full implementation without delay or evasion.
Hamas also praised the resilience and courage of Palestinians in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank, crediting their sacrifices with thwarting Israeli plans for domination and displacement.
They reaffirmed their commitment to their people’s fundamental rights to freedom, independence, and self-determination.
Next Steps
Prime Minister Netanyahu plans to present the agreement to his cabinet on Thursday for formal approval.
Following the cabinet’s endorsement, the Israeli military will begin its withdrawal, with Hamas expected to start releasing captives 72 hours later.
President Trump is anticipated to visit Egypt shortly and has been invited by Netanyahu to address the Israeli parliament. Trump has indicated he is “likely” to accept this invitation.
The subsequent phase of Trump’s peace plan involves establishing an international oversight body, the Board of Peace, to manage Gaza’s post-conflict governance. Trump will chair this board, which will include global leaders such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
