(Image source from: Apnews.com)
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that both Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement on the initial part of his peace plan for Gaza, calling it a "historic and unprecedented" move towards ending the war that has lasted for two years. Trump stated that the Palestinian group Hamas will set free all hostages, while Israel will withdraw its forces to a designated line, following discussions in Egypt that led to this agreement regarding his 20-point plan. "I am very proud to share that both Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of our Peace Plan," Trump posted on his Truth Social network. "This indicates that ALL Hostages will be released shortly, and Israel will pull back its troops to a pre-arranged line as the beginning steps toward a Strong, Lasting, and Permanent Peace." Trump also expressed gratitude to the mediators Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, stating, "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!"
Mediators reported that Israel and Hamas had come to an agreement for an exchange of hostages and the entry of aid into Gaza, according to Egyptian state-affiliated media. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned he would bring the hostages back home "with God's help." Trump had indicated earlier that he might travel to the Middle East later this week since a deal was "very close." In a tense moment, AFP reporters observed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio interrupting an event at the White House to deliver an important note to Trump about the ongoing negotiations in Egypt. "I might go there sometime later in the week, perhaps on Sunday," Trump remarked, adding that he was "most likely" to visit Egypt but would also think about going to the conflict-ridden Gaza. Trump's proposal included a ceasefire, the freeing of all hostages held in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area.
Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived at the negotiations earlier. As night fell over the coastal region of Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, a contributor from AFP reported a sense of excitement before the announcement, with joyful cries of "Allahu akbar," meaning God is great, and some celebratory gunfire fired into the sky. "We are keeping a close watch on every bit of news concerning the negotiations and the ceasefire," stated 50-year-old Mohammed Zamlot, who had been forced to leave northern Gaza. Hamas submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners they want released from Israeli prisons as part of the first stage of the ceasefire. In return, Hamas plans to liberate the remaining 47 hostages, both alive and deceased, who were taken during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the war.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Qatar and the head of Turkey's intelligence were likely to be present at the discussions. Hamas mentioned that they would have representatives from Islamic Jihad, who are also holding some hostages in Gaza, along with members from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. These talks were happening as the second anniversary of the Hamas raid on Israel in 2023 approached, an event that led to the deaths of 1,219 individuals, mostly non-combatants, based on a count by AFP using official Israeli statistics.
The militants also kidnapped 251 individuals, who were taken into Gaza, where 47 are still held, including 25 that the Israeli army claims are deceased. Israel's military actions in Gaza have resulted in at least 67,183 fatalities, as reported by the health department in the Hamas-led region, and the United Nations considers these numbers to be credible.
The statistics do not separate civilians from fighters but suggest that over half of the deceased are women and children. The civil defense group in the region, acting under Hamas's leadership, reported that the air strikes in Gaza did not cease in the hours leading up to the agreement. An AFP journalist stationed in Israel close to the Gaza border heard several explosions in the morning. There has been an increase in global pressure to halt the conflict, as much of Gaza lies in ruins, a famine declared by the UN is occurring, and families of Israeli captives continue to hope for the return of their relatives. A critical aspect of the negotiations involved the names of Palestinian prisoners that Hamas sought to have released. According to Egyptian media connected to the government, high-profile prisoner Marwan Barghouti, part of the rival Fatah movement, was among those Hamas requested for release.
Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's lead negotiator, also stated that the group is looking for "assurances from President Trump and the countries supporting the negotiations that the conflict will conclude once and for all".
