Israel and Hamas on Wednesday night agreed to the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire plan that will allow for the release of all hostages in Gaza, Israeli withdrawal to an agreed point, and the release of some Palestinian prisoners.
US President Donald Trump said the hostages are likely to be released on Monday. His announcement did not address some sticking points in the proposal, including Hamas disarmament and governance of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his government today to vote on the agreement. The first phase of the deal can only proceed if the cabinet votes in favor.
The agreement was met with celebration in Gaza and Israel, though residents in both places expressed concern that a comprehensive peace deal may still not materialize.
What has been agreed:
The first phase of the ceasefire plan will include the release of all hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza to an agreed-upon line, and the release of some Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Trump also announced that a “council of peace” was being created to maintain a lasting end to conflict in the region.
Hostage and prisoner release: The Israeli hostages will likely be released on Monday, Trump said. Hamas and Israel have already exchanged a list of hostages and prisoners to be released, one Hamas official said. But two prominent Palestinian prisoners – Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat, both serving life sentences for attacks that killed Israelis – are not expected to be released, according to a source.
What is still unknown: In announcing the agreement, none of the major parties addressed key sticking points, including the disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza. Three Israeli sources told CNN that Hamas may not know the location of, or be unable to retrieve, the remains of some of the 28 remaining deceased hostages.
What comes next? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his government today to ratify the agreement. Under law, after the cabinet votes in favor of the deal, there is a short window for petitions to be filed to challenge the releases; after that hurdle is cleared, the government can proceed with the hostage releases.
Trump will head to Middle East: The president said he is likely going to visit Egypt and Israel in the coming days, referencing the fact that Netanyahu had invited him to give a speech at Israel’s parliament.
Gaza reconstruction: Trump also said countries in the Middle East will help reconstruct Gaza, but did not offer further details. UN chief António Guterres said the agency “will scale up the delivery of sustained and principled humanitarian relief, and we will advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.”
Celebrations on both sides: Joy filled the streets of both Israel and Gaza in the early hours of Thursday morning after the announcement, with relief and cautious optimism for what could finally be an end to two years of bloodshed. Released Israeli hostages and the families of remaining hostages rejoiced, while some Palestinian residents in Gaza took to the streets to sing and dance – though, without internet and in the middle of the night, many in the enclave are just getting news of the agreement.
Meanwhile, leaders from around the world are welcoming the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Here’s what some have said:
Turkey: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his “special thanks” to US President Donald Trump, who he said “demonstrated the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government toward the ceasefire.” Erdogan said in an X post that Turkey, which was among the mediators involved, “will closely monitor the meticulous implementation of the agreement” and “continue our struggle until a Palestinian state is established.”
Britain: “This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, as reported by Britain’s Press Association.
Canada: “Congratulations to President Trump for his essential leadership and thank you to Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye for their tireless work to support the negotiations,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said. “I am relieved that the hostages will soon be reunited with their families.”
India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he hopes the release of the hostages and increased humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza would bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace.
Pakistan: “The announcement of an agreement that will bring an end to the genocide in Gaza is a historic opportunity to secure lasting peace in the Middle East,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.
Australia: “After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much needed step towards peace” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a joint statement. “We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan.”
New Zealand: “President Trump’s announcement … is a watershed moment in a conflict that has killed too many,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said. “New Zealand welcomes the news and hopes this provides a platform for a lasting solution where future generations of Israelis and Palestinians live in peace and security.”
Argentina: President Javier Milei congratulated his US counterpart, calling the agreement historic and an “extraordinary contribution to international peace,” on X.
With agency report
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