Trump Announces Preliminary Agreement to End Gaza War and Release Hostages on Monday

SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Thursday morning the signing of the first phase of the peace plan for the Gaza Strip by Israel and Hamas. He confirmed that "this means that all hostages will be released very soon," and that Israel will withdraw its forces to an agreed line as initial steps toward a strong and lasting peace. The DropSite reported that a source close to the mediators said Trump provided assurances that Israel would not resume the war after the release of the hostages.

Trump indicated in a post on Truth Social that all parties will be treated fairly, considering this announcement a "great day for the Arab and Islamic world, Israel, and the United States, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey."

In statements to Axios, President Trump said he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing their call as wonderful, noting that "Netanyahu is extremely happy and he should be" according to his expression.

Trump speculated that he might visit Israel in the coming days and may speak in the Knesset (Israeli parliament), saying, "The Israelis want me to give a speech in the Knesset, and I will certainly do so, if they wish it."

Trump also added that the efforts of the entire world contributed to reaching this agreement, including countries that were previously hostile, describing it as a great achievement.

In statements to Fox News, Trump predicted the release of the "hostages" held in Gaza next Monday, as well as the bodies of the deceased.

He noted that "you will witness the reconstruction of Gaza, and we are in the process of forming a peace council that will take care of the people."

The U.S. President pointed out that he told Netanyahu that Israel cannot fight the world, and he understands that well, expressing his strong confidence that peace will prevail in the Middle East, and he expressed his belief that Iran will be part of the peace process.

Since last Monday evening, Sharm El-Sheikh has been hosting indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel regarding the implementation of Trump's plan to end the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

On September 29, Trump announced a 20-point plan, including "the release of the Israeli hostages in Gaza, a ceasefire, and the disarmament of Hamas."

Hamas agreed to previous proposals for a ceasefire in Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza, resorted to procrastination and continued the genocide in the Palestinian territory.

Israel estimates that there are 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, of whom 20 are alive, while about 11,100 Palestinians languish in its prisons, suffering from torture, starvation, and medical negligence, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with U.S. support, has continued a genocidal campaign in Gaza that has resulted in 67,173 martyrs and 169,780 injuries - most of whom are children and women - and famine that has claimed the lives of 460 Palestinians, including 154 children.