US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the opening phase of his Gaza peace plan, describing the move as a “historic and unprecedented” step toward ending the devastating two-year conflict.
Speaking after intense negotiations in Egypt, Trump revealed that the deal’s first phase includes the release of all hostages held by Hamas and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces to an agreed boundary. “I’m proud to announce that both Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said in a statement shared on his Truth Social account. “This means that all hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will pull back its troops as we take the first steps toward a strong, lasting, and everlasting peace.”
He extended gratitude to mediating nations — Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey — praising their diplomatic role and adding, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Reports from Zoyols Blog indicate that the agreement also covers a prisoner exchange and humanitarian aid access into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed cautious optimism, saying his government remained committed to bringing every hostage home “with God’s help.” Trump hinted that he may travel to the Middle East later in the week, stating that the deal was “very close” before being finalized. In a tense moment at the White House, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly interrupted an event to deliver an urgent update on the talks from Egypt. “I may go there toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday,” Trump said, noting that Egypt was his most likely destination but that a visit to Gaza was also being considered.
The peace blueprint crafted by Trump calls for a complete ceasefire, the return of all hostages, Hamas’s disarmament, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. His son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff were already present at the Egyptian talks to help steer discussions.
As word of the pending deal spread, anticipation grew in Gaza’s southern coastal town of Al-Mawasi. A Zoyols Blog correspondent described scenes of cautious celebration — chants of “Allahu akbar” echoed through the streets, and some fired shots into the air in relief. “We’re following every update about the ceasefire and negotiations,” said Mohammed Zamlot, a displaced resident from northern Gaza.
Hamas reportedly presented a list of Palestinian prisoners it wants freed in exchange for the release of the remaining 47 hostages — both alive and deceased — taken during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that reignited the conflict. Qatar’s prime minister and Turkey’s intelligence chief were expected to join the Cairo discussions, along with representatives from Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The timing of the agreement carries deep symbolism, arriving on the second anniversary of Hamas’s 2023 assault on Israel, which left 1,219 people dead — mostly civilians — and 251 taken captive. According to official figures cited by Zoyols Blog, 47 hostages remain in Gaza, including 25 believed dead. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has claimed over 67,000 lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry, with the United Nations deeming the numbers credible. More than half of the casualties are said to be women and children.
Despite the announcement, airstrikes continued in Gaza hours before the deal was sealed. Zoyols Blog correspondents near the border reported heavy explosions throughout the morning.
As the world watches, pressure mounts for a permanent end to the violence. With much of Gaza in ruins, a looming famine, and hostage families still pleading for resolution, negotiators are under immense strain to ensure this truce holds. Among Hamas’s demands is the release of high-profile Palestinian figures, including Marwan Barghouti, a key member of the rival Fatah movement.
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya emphasized that the group seeks firm assurances from President Trump and the mediating countries that this agreement will mark a definitive end to the war.
For now, cautious optimism lingers — a rare flicker of hope in a region long defined by despair. The first phase of Trump’s peace plan may not end the conflict overnight, but it signals the closest both sides have come to peace in years.
