Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to halt fighting and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, marking the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace initiative for Gaza.
Officials confirmed the deal after indirect talks held in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, with celebrations breaking out in both Israel and Palestine following the announcement.
Under the agreement, Israel will implement a ceasefire, begin a partial withdrawal from Gaza, and Hamas will release Israeli hostages in return for Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the truce would take effect once the cabinet approves the deal, which is expected after a security meeting.
According to Israeli officials, the ceasefire will come into force within 24 hours of approval, followed by the release of hostages within the next 72 hours. Israeli forces will also start withdrawing during this period.
All 20 surviving Israeli hostages captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack are expected to be freed, while the released Palestinian prisoners will not include Marwan Barghouti, one of the most well-known figures held in Israeli custody.