- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 09 Oct 2025 07:42 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had reached a long-sought deal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release under his plan for ending the two-year-old war in the Palestinian enclave. Just a day after the second anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel 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.
The deal, if 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, and reshaping the Middle East.
All hostages will be released soon: Trump
"I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan," Trump said 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," Trump added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a written statement, referring to the hostages held by Hamas: "With God's help, we will bring them all home." He said he would convene his government on Thursday to approve the agreement.
Hamas confirmed it had reached an agreement to end the war, saying the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange. But the group called on Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel fully implements the ceasefire, it added in a statement.
Israeli military's Chief of Staff orders readiness for hostage-return mission
The Israeli military said that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir instructed forces to prepare strong defences and be ready for any scenario and to prepare to lead the operation for the hostages' return with sensitivity and professionalism, following the announcement of the Gaza
ceasefire agreement.
When will hostages be returned?
Despite the hopes raised for ending the war, crucial details are yet to be spelled out, including the timing, a post-war administration for the Gaza Strip and the fate of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. A Hamas source told news agency Reuters that 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. However, Trump told Fox News' 'Hannity' program that hostages held in Gaza will probably be released on Monday.
An Israeli government spokesperson said the hostage release was expected to begin on Saturday. Trump told Fox News' 'Hannity' program on Wednesday that hostages held in Gaza will probably be released on Monday. Netanyahu and Trump spoke by phone and congratulated each other on an "historic achievement," and the Israeli prime minister invited the US president to address Israel's parliament, according to Netanyahu's office.
(With inputs from agencies)