Trump: Historic Gaza Deal Reached with Hostage Release

LIVE – Updated at 11:24

Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a "historic" Gaza peace deal, which will see both sides stop fighting and begin releasing hostages and prisoners. The U.S. president hailed the “unprecedented event” in an announcement on Truth Social, adding that “ALL of the hostages will be released very soon” as part of the agreement.

Wild celebrations erupted in both Gaza and Israel, with people hailing what could be an eventual end to a devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza and the release of hostages who have been in captivity for two years. Sources familiar with the talks said Hamas could release all 20 living hostages within days, while the deal will see Israeli troops pull back from most of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “With God’s help we will bring them all home.”

In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, families of captives chanted “Nobel prize to Trump” while celebrating the announcement. Hamas confirmed that the agreement includes troop withdrawal, prisoner exchanges, and the entry of aid. But the Israeli military warned civilians not to return to northern Gaza, calling it “a dangerous combat zone.”

Key Points - Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the 'first phase' of his peace plan - Hostages to be 'probably' released Monday, Trump says - Analysis | Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal. What’s next? - Freed Israeli hostages celebrate as families rejoice over new Gaza ceasefire deal - Keir Starmer calls Gaza breakthrough a 'moment of profound relief' - Signing of Gaza ceasefire agreement expected at 12pm in Israel (10am UK time) - Watch: Tel Aviv hostage families welcome Hamas-Israel's 'first phase' of peace plan

The Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the largest independent aid groups working in Gaza, said President Donald Trump's plan to increase aid to starving people as part of a ceasefire will fail unless all aid groups can resume operations. "The desperation is deeper and the exhaustion is greater than anyone can imagine inside Gaza...It's not enough with some U.N. agencies and some few NGOs," Jan Egeland, NRC head, told Reuters in an interview via video link from Oslo.

"If not, the Trump peace plan will not succeed...We don't have time for more bureaucratic obstacles." Trump's 20-point plan includes allowing "full aid" to be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip, and for water infrastructure and bakeries to be restored in the enclave, where some areas are experiencing famine. The NRC is resubmitting a request to get hundreds of truckloads of lifesaving aid into Gaza, which had been denied access for months.

The Kremlin welcomed a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas but said the key would be to see how the deal was implemented. Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage release deal that could be a first step toward ending a two-year-old war that has roiled the Middle East.

"We certainly support these efforts. It cannot but cause general satisfaction that a ceasefire in Gaza is already being established. All these efforts can be welcomed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Interfax as saying. "We hope that the signatures will be delivered today, and then actions will follow to implement the agreements reached," Mr Peskov said. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation in the Middle East, including Trump's plan to end the Gaza conflict in a phone call on Monday.

Umm Ahmed, who lost her husband due to the lack of medicine flowing into the Gaza Strip, has been speaking to Nedal Hamdouna on the ground. “‘Announcing a ceasefire agreement’”, these are simple words, but they carry behind them two years of tears and hearts exhausted by fear,” said Ms Ahmed, 43. “We grew up listening to the sounds of bombing. Now we try to believe that calm is possible, that night can pass without warning, and that tomorrow can come without panic. We don’t need celebrations; we just want to live. We want to return to homes that have been reduced to ashes, to plant what was burned, rebuild what was destroyed, and reunite those who remain. This agreement is not the end of the war, but perhaps the beginning of a new life. I hope it will be a lasting peace.”

Pictured: Celebrations in Tel Aviv continue

Deal 'not politically over the line in Israel', says defence expert Our foreign news reporter James Reynolds has been speaking with Dr Andreas Krieg, an associate professor of defence studies at King’s College London. Dr Krieg told The Independent that the agreement is “not yet over the line politically in Israel.” He said it requires “security-cabinet and then full cabinet approval, and at least one senior coalition figure has already signalled opposition.” Dr Krieg added: “A late revolt by hardliners or a demand to amend the text would push the timetable back.”

BREAKING: Gaza ceasefire will go into effect once deal ratified - Israeli official The Gaza ceasefire agreement will go into effect after it is ratified by the Israeli government, a source in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has said. It comes following reports in Egyptian media that the ceasefire had gone into effect. The deal was due to be signed at 10am UK time (12pm local time) - it is unclear whether a formal signing has taken place. We’ll bring you more as it comes in.

Israel kills 11 Palestinians in the past day, Gaza health ministry says Israeli forces killed 11 Palestinians in Gaza over the past day, Gaza’s health ministry has reported on Telegram. Another 49 people were injured over the past 24 hours, it added. Some victims remain under the rubble, where ambulance crews are having difficulties in reaching them. This brings the total death toll in Gaza to at least 67,194, the ministry added.

Hostage release expected on Sunday or Monday, Israeli official tells The Independent The release of the 20 living Israeli hostages is expected to take place on Sunday or Monday, an Israeli official has told our chief international correspondent Bel Trew. The 72-hour window in which hostages must be released, as per the guidelines, will begin the moment the Israeli government ratifies the deal, the official said. Reminder: That meeting is set to take place at 5pm Israeli time (3pm UK time) today. Until then, the ceasefire won’t officially be in place.

Watch: Starmer welcomes Gaza peace plan breakthrough Watch: Trump says deal in 'Middle East' is 'close' after being handed a note by Marco Rubio

Who will run a post-war Gaza administration? Trump's plan calls for an international body led by Trump himself and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to play a role in Gaza's post-war administration. Arab countries which back the plan say it must lead to eventual independence for a Palestinian state, which Netanyahu says will never happen. Even if a major breakthrough is reached, there is no clear indication who will rule Gaza when the war ends. Netanyahu, Trump, Western and Arab states have ruled out a role for Hamas, which has run Gaza since driving out Palestinian rivals in 2007. Hamas has said it was ready to relinquish Gaza governance, but only to a Palestinian technocrat government supervised by the Palestinian Authority and backed by Arab and Muslim countries, as per a longstanding Egyptian proposal. It rejects any role for Blair or foreign rule of Gaza.

Signing of Gaza ceasefire deal expected in under 15 minutes Earlier, we reported that the Gaza ceasefire deal was due to be signed at 12pm Israeli time (10am UK time). The signing is expected to take place in the Egyptian beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where they negotiated the biggest step yet taken to end two years of devastating warfare. But the ceasefire coming into effect will still depend on Israel's security cabinet and government approving the agreement 5pm Israel time (3pm UK time). There have been few updates about the signing in the past hour, but we’ll bring you the latest as it comes in.

'The joy is incomplete', Gaza man tells The Independent Although a truce may be about to begin, the “joy is incomplete”, a 27-year-old has told The Independent’s Nedal Hamdouna in Gaza. With only limited parts of Gaza set to be made free from Israeli forces in the deal, and with much of the strip lying in ruins, celebrations are muted. Here is the full reaction from Huda Omar:

The war may be over and a truce is about to begin, but the heart isn’t happy about that, and the heartbeats no longer beat rapidly for the joy of the war’s end as usual, everything has been destroyed: land, stones, and people. The land and homes have been demolished by the Israeli army, and we have lost many loved ones and friends. The joy is incomplete because the return is currently limited to parts of the Gaza Strip. Not all of us will be able to return to our homes in the first phase, and the return will not be with all the friends and acquaintances who were killed over the past two years. Everything is not as it was before.

Despite this, there is a small amount of hope and joy for the end of this harsh war and the return to some of what remains of northern Gaza.

Huda Omar, 27

Macron hails 'great hope' for the region French president Emmanuel Macron has hailed the “great hope” for the region after a peace agreement was announced between Israel and Hamas. He welcomed the agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, adding France will continue to hold talks with international partners to seek a political solution to the war. "This agreement must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution," Macron said in posts on social media platform X. "France stands ready to contribute to this goal. We will discuss it this afternoon in Paris with our international partners," he added.

Ceasefire may be in place by 4pm (UK time) if approved by Israeli cabinet The Independent’s chief international correspondent Bel Trew reports: The ceasefire could be in place by 6pm Israeli time (4pm UK time) today if it is approved by the Israeli cabinet, a source familiar to the negotiators has said. Israel’s cabinet is set to hold a meeting at 5pm local time, where it will vote on the ceasefire proposal agreed by Israeli and Hamas negotiators.

'There is a lot of work to end the occupation', says son of woman killed on 7 October The son of a woman killed on 7 October has told The Independent that there is work to do to ensure the peace deal leads to an end of the occupation and wider conflict, not only the ongoing campaign in Gaza. Yonatan Zeigen’s mother, well-known peace activist Vivian Silver, was killed in the be’eri massacre during the 7 October attacks. Mr Zeigen has since been outspoken of Israel’s war in Gaza, opposing military action from the very beginning in favor of negotiating a deal to release the hostages. “Most Israelis are ecstatic, and rightfully so in the context of the hostages,” he told The Independent. “However there is a lot of work ahead if we want this deal to not just end the carnage but really be a foundation for the end of the occupation and the conflict in general. In that sense, I'm alert.”

Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues following news of ceasefire agreement Attacks on Gaza continued overnight following the announcement that a ceasefire deal had been agreed. Huge plumes of smoke were seen rising from the destroyed enclave, hours after the deal was announced and it was confirmed that the two sides had agreed to it. Sky News reported that loud explosions were heard in the early hours of the morning. We have not yet heard reports of casualties from the strikes. The ceasefire has not officially come into effect, and won’t do until it is approved by the Israeli security cabinet, who are due to meet at 3pm UK time (5pm Israel time) today.

'I am truly ashamed to celebrate': Palestinian father reacts with relief, not joy Nedal Hamdouna, The Independent’s man in Gaza, has been speaking to people on the ground about their reactions to the ceasefire. One father’s reaction shows relief, rather than jubilation, as he now looks ahead to a future rebuilding the enclave, which has been in large parts razed to the ground by Israeli shelling. The war will not end for Palestinians, who now need to rebuild their lives under an ongoing occupation, 30-year-old father-of-two Mustafa Al-Shafei Here are his full comments:

My reaction was somewhat normal, because the war had gone on unreasonably long. The war destroyed everything. [During the last truce] I didn’t even go to my house, which was destroyed, nor did I visit it. It was all rubble, so I couldn’t walk on it. For me, there are no celebrations, no joy, and no happiness because there is nothing to be happy about. I am truly ashamed to celebrate because we have been through the most difficult circumstances and unforgettable moments. We were displaced dozens of times, starved to the point where our children cried from hunger. I am ashamed to celebrate because I remember when I go to the hospital and see the suffering of the wounded, the amputees, the orphaned children, and the mothers of the victims. All of them will experience great hardship. For me and for them, the war will not end with the signing of a truce.

Mustafa Al-Shafei, 30 years. Father of 2 children.

Palestinian President Abbas welcomes ceasefire agreement Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas has welcomed the announcement by Donald Trump of an agreement to end the war in Gaza. “The president expresses hope that these efforts will serve as a prelude to achieving a sustainable political solution that will end the Israeli occupation and lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders,” a statement from his office read. He commended President Trump and stressed the need for all parties to commit to implementing the agreement immediately. He called on the international community to compel Israel to halt all of its unilateral measures which violate international law, Wafa news agency reported.

Israel must destroy Hamas after hostages returned, says Smotrich Far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has called on Israel to destroy Hamas following the return of hostages from Gaza. Smotrich said he will not vote in favour of a ceasefire deal with Hamas to end the war in Gaza, but stopped short of threatening to bring down prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government.

World leaders welcome the peace deal More international reaction is pouring in to the news of a ceasefire. Here’s some of the latest: President Tayyip Erdogan has said he is pleased that Hamas-Israel negotiations had resulted in a Gaza ceasefire deal and that Turkey will closely monitor its strict implementation and continue to contribute to the process. He thanked Donald Trump, “who demonstrated the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government toward the ceasefire", as well as Qatar and Egypt. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza and commended the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. "Now, all parties must fully uphold the terms of the agreement. All hostages must be released safely. A permanent ceasefire must be established. The suffering must end," she posted on X. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described it as a “much-needed step towards peace”, adding that there is a “very long road to recovery in Gaza, securing long-term peace and building the Palestinian state”.

'Finally a good morning': Cousin of hostage speaks of jubilant scenes Gil Dickmann, the cousin of killed hostage Carmel Gat and a prominent campaigner for a ceasefire deal, has told The Independent of the jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv following today’s news. “Finally a good morning, we’re in such a great mood. It’s so hopeful today, we had a night of celebrations in hostages square,” he said. A number of former hostages were all in the square celebrating with campaigners, families and activists, opening bottles of champagne for the “mere thought of getting the hostages back”, he said. “It’s hard because we don’t want to get our hopes up before it actually happens, and it ain’t over till it’s over, but it looks like it’s actually happening. That’s why we can’t help but be optimistic.” Mr Dickmann is facing “complex” feelings, with the deal coming 13 months after his cousin, Carmel Gat, was killed in captivity. “She will never come back. But when she was murdered on 1 September 2024, we made a promise that she will be the last one to be murdered in captivity. And it looks like we made it.”

Israeli military says it is preparing partial withdrawal The Israeli military has begun preparations to move to “adjusted deployment lines”, it has said. In a social media statement, it said it has “has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement". “As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon. The IDF continues to be deployed in the area and prepared for any operational development.” Approval of phase one of the deal by the Israeli government would mean a ceasefire would take effect immediately, with Israeli troops set to withdraw to an agreed area.

Watch: Trump tells hostage families their loved ones will return from Gaza in days after peace deal agreed Donald Trump's full announcement of Gaza ceasefire Donald Trump announced the peace deal in a Truth Social post shortly before 12am UK time last night. Here is what the U.S. president said, in full: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! 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. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”

Hostages may be released as early as Saturday Israeli hostages may be released as early as Saturday under the Gaza peace plan, and the country's military will complete the first part of a partial withdrawal from the enclave within 24 hours of the deal being signed, a source briefed on details of the agreement has told Reuters news agency. A Hamas source said the living hostages would be handed over within 72 hours of the Israeli government approving the deal. Hamas officials have insisted it will take longer to recover the bodies of dead hostages, believed to number about 28, from Gaza’s rubble. Trump told Fox News' 'Hannity' program on Wednesday that the hostages will probably be released on Monday. But the Islamist group has so far refused to discuss Israel's demand that Hamas give up its arms, which the Palestinian source said Hamas would reject as long as Israeli troops occupy Palestinian land.

Bel Trew | Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal. What’s next? Wednesday evening in the United States brought the news millions across the world have been praying for: a ceasefire deal for Gaza that hopefully heralds in the end of one of the bloodiest conflicts of our time. The details of the deal have yet to be fully disclosed. Reports are emerging that it will initially concern the release of the remaining 20 living hostages, who could be freed as early as this weekend. In tandem, there will be the release of hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli prisons and a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces from the besieged enclave. A source familiar with the negotiations told The Independent Hamas will start releasing the 20 living hostages as early as Saturday, the 28 bodies of the remaining deceased hostages are apparently not included in this phase. But it is important to note this is an initial phase, not the entire plan for the final end to this devastating two-year conflict. It is not an answer to what comes next for Gaza.

UK minister: This is a really big moment for the world We’re hearing from secretary of state for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden this morning, who is speaking to Sky News. “This is a really big moment for the world,” he says. “The really big prize is not just to stop what’s been happening for the last two years and release hostages, but actually to have a more secure future there, so the real excitement comes with that possibility.”

Mother of hostage in tears following news of agreement Kallas: This is a major diplomatic accomplishment Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first phase of the US Gaza plan is a significant breakthrough, and a real chance to end the war and release all the hostages, the EU's foreign affairs chief said on Thursday, calling it "a major diplomatic accomplishment". "The EU will do what it can to support its implementation," Kaja Kallas said.

Signing of Gaza ceasefire agreement expected at 12pm in Israel (10am UK) The signing of the agreement on the first stage of US president Donald Trump's plan for Gaza is expected to take place at midday in Israel, a source briefed on the details of the agreement told Reuters on Thursday. The ceasefire is expected to come into effect on the ground in Gaza once the deal is signed, the source added.

Israel and Hamas said they had agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage deal, the first phase of Trump's plan to end a war in Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 people and reshaped the Middle East. Israel Defense Forces welcomes signing of hostage return agreement The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has welcomed the signing of an agreement to secure the return of hostages held by Hamas, confirming the deal was signed overnight. Israel's government will meet at around 2pm local time. If the deal is formally approved, the ceasefire will go into effect. During a situational assessment held overnight, the Chief of the General Staff instructed all forces, both on the front lines and in the rear areas, to prepare strong defenses and be ready for any scenario. IDF The military added that force deployments will follow directives from the political leadership and the stages of the agreement, with emphasis on soldier safety. The IDF also said the Chief of the General Staff had ordered preparations to lead the hostages’ return operation “with sensitivity and professionalism.” The statement concluded: “The IDF will continue to act to achieve the objectives of the war and to defend the citizens of the State of Israel on all fronts.”

Israelis, Palestinians celebrate after agreement on Gaza ceasefire and return of hostages Israelis and Palestinians rejoiced on Thursday after a ceasefire and hostage deal was reached under the first phase of US president Donald Trump's plan to end a war in Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 people and reshaped the Middle East. Just a day after the second anniversary of Hamas militants' cross-border attack that triggered Israel's devastating assault on Gaza, indirect talks in Egypt yielded an agreement on the initial stage of Trump’s 20-point framework to bring peace to the Palestinian enclave.

The accord, if fully implemented, would bring the two sides closer than any previous effort to halt a war that had evolved into a regional conflict, drawing in countries such as Iran, Yemen and Lebanon. News of the deal prompted celebrations in Israel, Gaza and beyond, with Israeli families of hostages letting off fireworks, while Palestinians clapped and cheered in hopes of an end to the bloodshed. “Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing," said Abdul Majeed abd Rabbo, a man in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. "I am not the only one happy, all of the Gaza Strip is happy, all the Arab people, all of the world is happy with the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed."

Starmer expresses ‘relief’ over agreement on first phase of Gaza peace deal Israel and Hamas’ agreement to the initial phases of a plan to end fighting in Gaza is a “moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world”, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The U.S. president said late on Wednesday that the warring parties have agreed to the “first phase” of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners. Starmer expresses ‘profound relief’ after Trump says start of Gaza peace deal agreed

Italy ready to send troops to Gaza if peacekeepers needed Italy's foreign minister has welcomed the agreement on the first stage of U.S. president Donald Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza and said the country is ready to send troops if peacekeeping forces are needed. "Peace is near," Antonio Tajani said on Friday morning in a post on X. "Italy, which has always supported the U.S. plan, is ready to do its part to consolidate the ceasefire, deliver new humanitarian aid, and participate in the reconstruction of Gaza. We are also ready to send troops if an international peacekeeping force is created to reunite Palestine."

Freed Israeli hostages celebrate as families rejoice over new Gaza ceasefire deal Former Hamas hostages and relatives of those still held in Gaza have shared emotional messages and videos celebrating the announcement of a ceasefire deal that will see more captives released. Emily Damari, a British-Israeli who was held captive by Hamas for more than a year before being released in January, posted a video to her Instagram celebrating the news with friends, which included fellow former hostage Romi Gonen. The group can be seen hugging each other and dancing around a room as they toast "L'chaim", meaning "to life". Eli Sharabi, a freed hostage whose wife and two daughters were killed during Hamas' attack on October 7 2023, wrote on social media: "Great joy, can't wait to see everyone home." Vicky Cohen, the mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, wrote on X: "My child, you are coming home." Nimrod's father, Yehuda Cohen, spoke at the Israeli Embassy in London in March urging Mr Netanyahu to move a ceasefire deal forward.

UN chief welcomes Gaza ceasefire agreement brokered under Trump proposal UN secretary-general António Guterres has welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas to secure a ceasefire and release hostages, based on a proposal advanced by U.S. president Donald Trump. “I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough,” Guterres said in a statement. The UN chief urged all sides to “abide fully by the terms of the agreement,” stressing that “all hostages must be released in a dignified manner” and that a “permanent ceasefire must be secured.” He said the United Nations would assist in implementing the agreement, scaling up humanitarian aid, and supporting recovery and reconstruction in Gaza. Guterres added that the moment should be used to build “a credible political path forward” towards ending the occupation and achieving a two-state solution that ensures peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. “The stakes have never been higher,” he said.

Countries react to peace talks breakthrough between Israel and Hamas Canada has welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas to begin the first phase of a peace plan proposed by U.S. president Donald Trump and facilitated by Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. In a statement posted on X, Global Affairs Canada – the government department responsible for the country’s diplomatic and consular relations – said: “Canada welcomes the agreement of Israel and Hamas to implement the first phase of the peace plan put forward by President Trump, and facilitated by Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.” The department said that after two years of war, hostages will “finally be reunited with their families” while Israeli forces withdraw “to behind agreed upon lines.” It called for “immediate and unimpeded humanitarian aid” to reach civilians in need across Gaza. “Canada will support all efforts to turn this positive step into lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” Global Affairs Canada added.

New Zealand's foreign minister said the first phase of the agreement was "essential. “Hamas needs to release all of the hostages and Israel must withdraw their troops to the agreed-upon line,” Winston Peters said. "This is an essential first step towards achieving lasting peace. We urge Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution."

Keir Starmer calls Gaza breakthrough a 'moment of profound relief' Israel and Hamas' agreement to the initial phases of a plan to end fighting in Gaza is a "moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world", Sir Keir Starmer has said. Donald Trump said late on Wednesday that the warring parties have agreed to the "first phase" of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners. Responding to the news, Sir Keir said: "I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump's peace plan for Gaza. 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."

The "tireless diplomatic efforts" of the U.S., as well as Egypt, Qatar and Turkey have been crucial in moving towards peace, the prime minister said. He added: "This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza. We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan."

Israeli ambassador says end of hostilities in Gaza depends on first-stage implementation Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter told CNN that living hostages held by Hamas would be released on Sunday or Monday, with a 72-hour clock for Hamas to make the release beginning once the Israeli Cabinet meets on Thursday afternoon or evening, to approve the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released in the agreement. Leiter said that Israel hopes the deal will lead to an end of the war, but that will depend on how well it is implemented.

"We hope it leads to a complete cessation of hostilities and a rebuilding of Gaza for the sake of the Gazans and for the sake of Israel," he said. "But it's the first stage, and we've got to see the first stage implemented completely in the next few days." Leiter, whose eldest son was killed in the war while serving in the Israeli forces, credited Israeli military pressure with bringing Hamas to the negotiating table after two years of conflict.

Hostages to be 'probably' released Monday, Trump says In an interview on Fox News, Donald Trump said that Hamas will begin releasing hostages "probably" on Monday. "This is more than Gaza," Trump told host Sean Hannity in a telephone interview. "This is peace in the Middle East." Trump also said a future Gaza will be a "peaceful, much safer place" and that the U.S. would remain involved to ensure its safety and prosperity. "Other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous wealth," Trump said, adding: "We'll be involved in helping them make it successful and helping it stay peaceful." Trump confirmed that he spoke to Netanyahu earlier Wednesday night. The prime minister told him, "I can't believe it," according to the president's retelling. "I said, 'Israel cannot fight the world, Bibi, they can't fight the world,' and he understands that very well," Trump said.

Hostage families chant 'Nobel prize to Trump' in Tel Aviv Families of hostages and their supporters started chanting "Nobel prize to Trump" as they gathered in the early hours of the morning in Tel Aviv's hostages square. People gathered there after the agreement was announced, with freed hostages and families of those still captive cheering, singing and crying at the news.

Watch: Netanyahu says he hopes to announce hostage release in 'coming days' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said before a peace deal was signed that he hopes to announce hostage release in the “coming days.”

Journalists in Gaza City celebrate peace deal In Gaza City, where bombings had been heard in the early hours of Thursday before news of the deal, a few journalists roamed the dark streets of the city, shouting in jubilation that "the war has ended," according to a video they posted on social media. The journalists, laughing and jumping, shouted that most people who remained in the city have no internet and needed to be woken up to hear the news.

In the south of Gaza, a group of young men lifted another journalist on their shoulders as he broadcast the news to his channel, celebrating the ceasefire. The journalist posted a video of the interaction on his social media. The men also performed a traditional Palestinian dance, Debka, on the streets, while singing. Communications and internet connection has been badly severed by the war, and large parts of Gaza had no connection, particularly during the night.

Israeli military says northern Gaza remains a 'dangerous combat zone' The Israeli military warned Palestinians in Gaza against returning north to Gaza City or approaching areas where troops are stationed until further notice. Israel's Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued the warning on X, hours after Hamas and Israel agreed to the first phase of the Trump plan to pause the fighting and release hostages and prisoners.

"For your safety, refrain from returning north or approaching areas where (troops) are stationed or operating throughout" Gaza, he said. Adraee said northern Gaza is "still considered a dangerous combat zone".

Israel and Hamas take first steps toward peace — here’s what comes next U.S. president Donald Trump announced the deal Wednesday evening, calling it ‘the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace’. Bel Trew explains what may come next.

Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the 'first phase' of his peace plan U.S. president Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the "first phase" of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners, in a major breakthrough in the two-year-old war. "This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace," Trump wrote on social media.

Hamas plans to release all 20 living hostages in the coming days, people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media, "With God's help we will bring them all home." Hamas said separately that the deal would ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops as well as allow for the entry of aid and exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Hamas shares gratitude for Trump after 'first phase' of peace deal reached Hamas has shared its gratitude for President Donald Trump’s role in reaching the “first phase” of a peace deal between the Palestinian militant group and Israel. Trump announced via Truth Social Wednesday, “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.” In a subsequent press release, Hamas said, “We also value the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, who seeks to bring about a definitive end to the war and a complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip.”

Trump said Netanyahu was 'so happy' on post-peace deal call President Donald Trump has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “so happy” during a phone call after his country and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a peace deal Wednesday. “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.” Shortly after the announcement, Trump told Axios he just had a “great” call with Netanyahu, adding, “He is so happy. He should be. It is a great achievement. The whole world has come together to reach this deal, including countries that were enemies.” Axios reported Netanyahu invited Trump to address Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. "I will definitely do that if they want me to,” Trump told the outlet. Earlier Wednesday, the White House said Trump may go to the Middle East shortly after his yearly check-up at the Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday.

Watch: Trump explains how he 'Arab nations' on board with peace deal: 'I develop relationships with people' President Donald Trump has explained how he got “Arab nations” on board with an Israel-Hamas peace deal, telling Fox News’ Sean Hannity Wednesday, “I develop relationships with people.” Earlier Wednesday, Trump announced in a Truth Social post that Israel and Hamas “signed off” on the first stage of the peace deal. “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