First Stage of Gaza Agreement Focuses on Hostages, Prisoners, and Ceasefire
US Announces First Phase of Gaza Peace Deal Between Israel and Hamas
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the first phase of a Gaza peace plan. The deal follows three days of indirect negotiations in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, with participation from the United States, Qatar, and Turkey. Trump stated that the agreement would result in the release of all hostages and an Israeli troop withdrawal to agreed positions as initial steps toward a “strong, durable, and lasting peace.”
Key Points of the Agreement
Mediators confirmed that the first-phase deal, covering all provisions and implementation mechanisms, has been finalized, with the final draft under preparation. According to Egypt’s Al-Qahera News TV, the agreement is expected to include:
- Release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners
- Withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza
- Entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave
Hostage and Prisoner Releases
Sources cited by The Associated Press reported that Hamas will release the 48 remaining Israeli hostages captured during the October 7 attack, though only about 20 are believed to be alive. The surviving hostages are expected to be freed over the weekend, while the bodies of deceased hostages would be returned in subsequent phases. In return, Israel will release several hundred Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, the Israeli military will pull back from roughly 70% of Gaza territory currently under its control.
Outstanding Issues
It remains unclear whether negotiators have made progress on more sensitive topics, such as Hamas’ demilitarization — a key demand repeatedly highlighted by Trump — or how Gaza will be governed after the fighting ends.
For now, mediators describe the first phase as the most significant breakthrough yet, offering a potential pathway to end the conflict.
