Israeli hostages could be freed as soon as Saturday as part of a US plan aimed at concluding the conflict in Gaza. According to a source familiar with the discussions, Israel’s military is set to finalize the initial phase of a partial withdrawal from the enclave within 24 hours following the agreement’s ratification.
The agreement is anticipated to be signed at noon local Israeli time (0900 GMT) on Thursday, as per the insider’s information.
Israel’s security cabinet and government are scheduled to convene to discuss the agreement at 5 p.m. local time (1400 GMT).
Celebrations erupted among Israelis and Palestinians after Trump announced that a ceasefire and hostage agreement had been secured under the preliminary phase of his initiative to resolve the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in over 67,000 fatalities and altered the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Nevertheless, Israeli airstrikes on several neighborhoods in Gaza City persisted throughout the night and into the morning hours on Thursday, residents reported. Witnesses noted plumes of smoke emerging from Shejaia, Tuffah, and Zeitoun early Thursday, although no casualties have been confirmed.
Just a day following the second anniversary of Hamas’s cross-border incursion that instigated Israel’s extensive military operation in Gaza, indirect negotiations facilitated in Egypt resulted in a consensus regarding the first phase of Trump’s 20-point proposal for the region.
If the accord is fully realized, it would represent the closest the two parties have come to achieving peace, surpassing previous attempts to end a conflict that has escalated into a larger regional strife, involving nations such as Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon.
“Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed,” expressed Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo, a resident of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. “I am not the only one backing this; the entire Gaza Strip is celebrating, as are all Arab nations and people globally.”
However, the agreement revealed by Trump late on Wednesday was vague and left numerous unanswered questions, raising concerns about its potential collapse, mirroring past peace efforts.
“I am thrilled to announce that both Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump stated on Truth Social. “This means that ALL hostages will be released shortly, and Israel will withdraw its troops to a mutually agreed position as a first step toward a Strong, Sustainable, and Lasting Peace,” he added.
The successful execution of this agreement would represent a notable achievement in foreign policy for the Republican president, who has aimed to facilitate peace in significant global disputes but has faced challenges in delivering immediate results, both in Gaza and concerning Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
“With the approval of the first phase, ALL our hostages will return home,” announced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “This marks a diplomatic triumph and a national moral victory for Israel.”
Details of the Hostage Swap Confirmed by Hamas
The ongoing conflict has reshaped the Middle East to Israel’s advantage after targeting the leaders of Hamas, which is backed by Tehran, and Hezbollah from Lebanon while also eliminating key Iranian military figures and striking at the Houthis in Yemen.
However, global condemnation has intensified regarding Israel’s actions, with numerous human rights experts, scholars, and a UN inquiry suggesting that these constitute an act of genocide. Israel maintains that their response is a form of self-defense following the Hamas attack in October 2023.
Hamas announced it has reached a deal to conclude the conflict, indicating that it entails an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a potential hostage-prisoner swap.
“We believe that the sacrifices made by our people will not be in vain, and we will persist in upholding our commitment to securing our people’s national rights until we achieve freedom, independence, and self-determination,” Hamas declared.
The Gaza authorities report that the death toll has exceeded 67,000, with the majority of the territory devastated since Israel initiated military actions in response to Hamas’s incursion on October 7, 2023.
Israeli sources report that approximately 1,200 individuals have died and 251 have been captured and taken back to Gaza. Of the 48 hostages still believed to be alive, 20 remain in captivity.
Despite the optimism surrounding peace prospects, critical elements such as the timeline, post-war governance for Gaza, and the future of Hamas remain to be clarified.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, families of those taken during the Hamas attack two years prior have been gathering to demand the return of their loved ones. Einav Zaugauker, a hostage’s mother, expressed overwhelming joy.
“I can hardly breathe, I can hardly articulate what I’m feeling… it’s wonderful,” she shared, surrounded by the glow of celebratory flares.
“What should I say to him? What should I do? Just embrace and kiss him,” she said, referring to her son, Matan. “I just want to tell him that I love him, that’s all.”
Trump and Netanyahu Exchange Congratulations
A source from Hamas indicated that live hostages would be returned within 72 hours of the Israeli cabinet’s approval of the agreement. However, Hamas officials have noted that it may take longer to recover the bodies of deceased hostages, believed to number around 28, from the rubble in Gaza.
Trump mentioned in an appearance on Fox News’ ‘Hannity’ that the release of hostages is likely to occur on Monday.
Following their conversation, Netanyahu and Trump congratulated each other on achieving what they termed an “historic milestone,” and Netanyahu extended an invitation for Trump to address the Israeli parliament.
Earlier in the day, Hamas revealed that it had submitted lists of both the hostages it is holding and the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody for the proposed exchange.
The group has, however, consistently rejected Israel’s demands to disarm, arguing its refusal to do so until Israeli forces vacate Palestinian territories.
Oil prices saw a decline as the prospect of a ceasefire lessened the chance of disruption to global supply chains.
The subsequent phase of Trump’s proposal envisions an international body, led by Trump and including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, to oversee the post-war administration of Gaza.
Arab nations backing the plan insist that it must ultimately lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, a prospect Netanyahu has publicly dismissed.