In a surprising announcement, former President Trump has stated that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to release all remaining Israeli hostages and that Israeli forces will withdraw to a predetermined line. This long-awaited breakthrough, revealed via social media, could signal a potential end to the intense two-year conflict in Gaza.
According to Trump, both parties have agreed to the initial phase of his peace plan, which includes an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. While specific details regarding the withdrawal line and the exchange mechanisms were not immediately provided, the announcement has sparked widespread attention.
Speaking on Truth Social, Mr. Trump lauded the development: “This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a concise statement, expressing hope to “bring them all home,” referring to the hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that initiated the war Gaza. Dr. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry, a key mediator, confirmed Wednesday evening that “an agreement was reached on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms of the first phase of the Gaza cease-fire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid.” Further details are expected soon.
Earlier this month, Trump had put forth a comprehensive 20-point plan aimed at resolving the conflict and securing the release of the remaining hostages. Israel estimates around 20 hostages are still alive in Gaza, with efforts also underway to recover the remains of approximately 25 others. The proposed exchange involves 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained by Israel during the war. Additionally, for each recovered hostage’s remains, Israel would also release the remains of 15 Gazans.
Negotiations have been ongoing in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. On Wednesday, Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law and former adviser, Jared Kushner, joined the discussions. Ron Dermer, an adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Qatar’s prime minister were also reportedly present.
Key Developments:
- Trump’s Ultimatum: Last Friday, Mr. Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, threatening increased casualties if the group failed to agree to a deal by Sunday evening. Hamas responded on Friday, indicating willingness to release all hostages (both living and deceased) but sought to negotiate other aspects of the plan. That same evening, Mr. Trump expressed his belief that Hamas was “ready for a lasting peace” and urged Israel to cease bombing Gaza. By early Saturday, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office affirmed Israel’s readiness for the “immediate release of all hostages” and commitment to collaborating with the White House to “end the war.”
- Pressure on Israel: A recent Israeli strike on Hamas representatives in Qatar on September 9 caused diplomatic friction in the region and Washington. This incident reportedly intensified Mr. Trump’s resolve and prompted his advisors to push Prime Minister Netanyahu toward accepting a framework for ending the Gaza war. Hamas’s Friday offer is likely to further pressure the Israeli leader to agree to terms he had previously resisted.
- Two Years of Conflict: The devastating war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, following the Hamas-led attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 individuals taken hostage. Since then, Israel’s military response has led to the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians, including both civilians and combatants, according to the Gaza health ministry, and has caused widespread destruction of the territory’s infrastructure.
President Trump had earlier hinted at the positive progress of cease-fire and hostage release negotiations on Wednesday, even suggesting a potential visit to the Middle East over the weekend to mark such an occasion. His optimism was visibly boosted during a White House event when Secretary of State Marco Rubio passed him a note, underlining that negotiators in Egypt were “very close” to a deal and advising Trump to announce it on Truth Social first.
These comments, coupled with the photographic evidence of Rubio’s note, provided the clearest indication yet that the two-year-long conflict might be nearing a halt, if not a complete resolution. The conflict originated from the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, which claimed roughly 1,100 Israeli lives. Israel’s subsequent military actions have since resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and immense destruction in Gaza. Despite the broad pronouncements, Trump did not elaborate on the specifics of the ongoing negotiations, where his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner were representing his administration.
Trump mentioned, “I may go there,” initially suggesting a Sunday departure before correcting himself to Saturday evening. He specified Egypt as his destination, where negotiations between Israel and Hamas are being mediated by Arab states and the U.S. He also indicated he would be “making the rounds,” implying visits to Israel to celebrate the release of hostages, both living and deceased, which is slated as the first step in the president’s 20-point plan. When questioned about visiting the war-torn ruins of Gaza — a place where it would be hard to secure his safety — he responded, “I may do that.”
Mr. Trump has openly pursued the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor previously awarded to three sitting American presidents. While he has claimed credit for numerous peace efforts, a Gaza agreement, if realized, would significantly bolster his case. Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, often a critic of Trump’s Mideast policies, noted that “This cease-fire and hostage release — if it happens — only came to fruition because of Trump’s willingness to pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu.” He added that no previous president, regardless of party, had exerted such intense pressure on an Israeli prime minister regarding issues of critical political and security importance to Israel.
Just last week, Trump reportedly compelled Mr. Netanyahu to accept the 20-point plan. This plan includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the establishment of a technocratic, Palestinian-led governing body for the region. Trump had explicitly informed the Israeli prime minister that he would not tolerate the annexation of the West Bank or the expulsion of all Palestinians from Gaza.