Israel and Hamas Agree to First Phase of Gaza Peace Deal, Trump Says

‘Peace finally feels attainable’ – world leaders react to agreementpublished at 08:57 BST

World leaders have been continuing to react to last night’s announcement:

• European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen commends the diplomatic efforts to reach a deal, and says she is “encouraged” by the support given by the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority. “Now, all parties must fully uphold the terms of the agreement,” she says
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says the agreement “marks a significant breakthrough” and represents “a real chance to end a devastating war and release all the hostages”
• French President Emmanuel Macron says France is “ready to contribute” to attaining peace, and has called on “all parties to strictly uphold its terms”
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is “relieved that the hostages will soon be reunited with their families. After years of intense suffering, peace finally feels attainable”
• Meanwhile Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is “greatly pleased” that negotiations have resulted in a ceasefire agreement, but adds that “we will continue our struggle until a Palestinian state is established”

Watch: What we know about the hostages still in Gazapublished at 08:45 BST

Of the 251 people taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023, there are believed to be 48 hostages still being held in Gaza – 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

So far 148 people have been returned – most as part of previous ceasefire deals – 51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.

Phase one of the agreement announced earlier would see Hamas release all remaining Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.

The release of the remaining hostages has long been at the forefront of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands.

We’ll fight until the end, relative of Israeli hostage sayspublished at 08:22 BST

Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Jerusalem

I’ve just heard from Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn was taken on 7 October 2023 and remains in Gaza – one of 20 hostages believed to be alive.

She tells me she feels like she is living “in a dream” today.

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has done for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she says.

But she says it is too soon to celebrate.

“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting… until the end,” she says.

“So many things can happen until the last moment so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done… We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage back home.”

Eitan was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel along with his brother Iair, who was released from captivity in the ceasefire deal earlier this year.

Gazan ‘relieved and optimistic’ as she hopes to be able to return homepublished at 08:12 BST

Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Jerusalem

“It’s a miracle.”

This is a WhatsApp message I just received from mother of three Hanaa Almadhoun, who is currently displaced in southern Gaza.

She says she feels “relieved and optimistic” and hopes to be able to return to her home in the north.

In central Gaza, Rewaa Mohsen, who I have been in touch with throughout the war, tells me she is “so excited and happy” this morning.

But she says she wishes her mum and sister, who were killed early in the war, were with her for this moment.

“The most important thing is that we won’t lose anyone anymore,” she says.

As we’ve been reporting, the ceasefire and hostage deal mark a significant breakthrough that brings an end to the war in Gaza closer – but this is only the first phase of Trump’s plan.

Agreement a moment of ‘profound relief’, says Starmerpublished at 08:06 BST

Speaking to press in India, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he strongly welcomes the news of an agreement.

Reading out his earlier statement, Starmer calls it a moment of “profound relief”, and says that the UK will support the “crucial and immediate steps” of the ceasefire.

He adds that he hopes it’s a “sustainable path to a long-term peace”.

The prime minister is speaking during a visit to Mumbai, alongside his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. He said the pair discussed the peace plan.

Israel, Hamas and Trump – what the key players have saidpublished at 07:52 BST

Israel

• “It’s a great day for Israel”, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement
• He thanked Israeli troops and US President Donald Trump and his team “for their mobilization for this sacred mission of releasing our hostages” – referring to the Israelis currently held by Hamas in Gaza
• “With God’s help we will bring them all home,” he added

Trump

• The US president wrote in a statement on Truth Social last night that: “This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
• He later told Fox News that Gaza “will be rebuilt” after phase one of the deal is implemented – adding that it will “be a much safer place” afterwards

Hamas

• According to the BBC’s US news partner CBS, Hamas said the agreement will “end the war on Gaza, ensure the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and implement a prisoner exchange”
• The people of Gaza “have demonstrated unmatched courage, honour, and heroism”, it added
• “We will never abandon our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved”, it said

A whisper, a note and a Truth Social: How the deal was announcedpublished at 07:38 BST

Almost two hours into a White House event focused on domestic law enforcement on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio entered the room and sat down.

Our reporter Bernd Debusmann Jr, who was in the room, says Rubio seemed fidgety. Rubio scrawled a note on a piece of paper, walked over and handed it to Trump – while whispering in his ear.

As reporters yelled questions in his direction, Trump said the note informed him that “we are very close to a deal”.

He exited the room just moments later, saying he had to go to focus on the Middle East.

Less than 10 minutes later, he posted on Truth Social, that both Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of the US peace plan.

It marks “the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace”, he wrote.

Israeli military says it is beginning preparations to ‘adjust deployment lines’published at 07:25 BST

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it “has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement”.

“As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon,” it says.

As a reminder, if phase one of the deal is approved by the Israeli government later today, a ceasefire would immediately take effect, and Israeli troops would withdraw to an agreed upon line.

Deal an extraordinary first step but hard work lies ahead, says former US envoypublished at 07:08 BST

The deal that has been announced is “quite an extraordinary first step”, according to David Satterfield, former US Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues.

“But to have true peace, a lasting resolution in Gaza and a true end to conflict there, that’s going to take a lot more work,” he tells the BBC.

It is the next phase that is more problematic and difficult Satterfield says, namely the disarmament of Hamas, the creation of a transitional administration to provide stabilisation in Gaza, and “then ultimately reconstruction”.

“It’s the Middle East, where disappointment always lurks behind every positive development,” Satterfield says.

However, he adds, that without the initial steps agreed in phase one of the deal, “you never have a chance of getting to getting to those other issues”.

What’s in phase one of the deal – and how the next few days could play outpublished at 06:55 BST

As we’ve been reporting, on Wednesday night US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to phase one of a Gaza peace deal.

This – Trump says – will see the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed upon line.

Meanwhile Qatar’s foreign ministry says some Palestinian prisoners held by Israel will be released, and humanitarian aid will be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

Here’s how the next few days are expected to play out:

Thursday

The Israeli government convenes at 14:00 Jerusalem time (12:00 BST) to vote on the plan. If formally approved, the ceasefire will immediately go into effect, and Israeli troops will begin to withdraw to an agreed upon line.

Israel will allow 400 aid trucks to enter Gaza daily during the first five days, a senior Palestinian official has told the BBC.

Friday

A senior White House official speaking to the BBC’s US partner, CBS News, says that it will likely take less than 24 hours for Israeli troops to finish withdrawing.

Once that is complete, the 72-hour clock begins for Hamas to release the hostages it holds in Gaza.

Monday

A significant moment but no guarantee deal will end the warpublished at 06:36 BST

Hugo Bachega
Middle East correspondent

The ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, announced after intense negotiations in Egypt, is a long-awaited breakthrough that brings them closer to ending the two-year-old war in Gaza.

But, despite the momentum, there is no guarantee that this will happen.

The main difference in these efforts has been the personal involvement of President Donald Trump, who has put pressure not only on Hamas but also on Israel for an agreement.

This is a major diplomatic victory for someone who wants to be seen as the man who ended the war – and, in the process, be rewarded for it.

What has been agreed is the first phase of a plan the president announced at the White House last week alongside the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been accused of sabotaging efforts for a deal in the past.

This time, Trump, reportedly impatient and irritated with Netanyahu, appears to have used the power only the Americans have to influence Israel, leaving the prime minister with no option other than engage with the process.

Threatened by Trump with “complete obliteration”, Hamas was under intense pressure too. Arab and Muslim countries embraced the president’s plan, and there was heavy involvement from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey in the negotiations.

This is, without a doubt, a significant moment but there is no guarantee that a peace deal for Gaza will happen, as crucial details still need to be worked out. They include the key Israeli demand that Hamas must disarm, the extent of the Israeli withdrawal and a plan for who will govern Gaza.

‘It’s too late for my cousin, but I’m glowing with joy for the hostage families’published at 06:22 BST

Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Jerusalem

I’ve just heard from Gil Dickman, whose cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, and her body recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later.

He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for a deal that brings the return of all those still being held in Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he tells me.

He says he feels “broken” that Carmel will not be among those returning home but is “glowing with joy for the families of the hostages who are finally coming back”.

‘We have survived this catastrophe’, says Gaza pharmacistpublished at 06:14 BST

Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Jerusalem

It’s early morning here in Jerusalem, and I’ve been starting to get reaction over messages from people in Gaza.

“I hope the coming days bring us happy news and that we and our loved ones live in safety,” Mousa, a doctor in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, tells me over WhatsApp.

“We have lost a lot during the two years of war. The Gaza Strip is destroyed. A difficult time still awaits us, but the important thing is we hope to be safe.”

In the south, pharmacist Suha Shaath said she was in disbelief.

“Until now, I don’t believe that this war could be ending and that I and still alive – we have survived this catastrophe,” she says.

As a reminder, Israel does not allow international journalists independent access to Gaza, so my communication with people there over the past two years has been over messages and phone calls.

Let’s get hostages out and aid in quickly, says UN humanitarian chiefpublished at 06:08 BST

The UN’s humanitarian chief has just posted on social media about the Gaza peace deal.

“Great news. Let’s get the hostages out and surge aid in – fast,” Tom Fletcher writes on X.

“Our teams are fully mobilised to get the trucks moving at scale and save lives.”

He adds UN workers need “safe access” and it will provide regular updates on any developments.

For context: In late-August, famine was declared in Gaza with a report from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification saying half a million people were starving in Gaza City. Israel has systematically obstructed food entering Gaza, aid agencies say. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies starvation is taking place in Gaza.

Tehran notably cautiouspublished at 06:05 BST

Jiyar Gol
BBC Persian

Despite being one of Hamas’s strongest military and financial backers, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been sidelined in recent peace negotiations.

Iran went to war with Israel in defence of Hamas, yet countries like Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt played the leading roles in brokering the first stage of the ceasefire deal.

Tehran, usually vocal in rejecting any agreement involving Israel or the United States, appeared noticeably cautious this time. Iranian officials refrained from direct criticism of the peace efforts, instead emphasizing that Hamas had not surrendered. Iran’s narrative now frames the outcome as a “victory” for Hamas — despite its limited influence over the diplomatic process.

US Senate’s top Democrat Chuck Schumer says agreement brings ‘huge sigh of relief’published at 05:49 BST

Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer has responded to the news, saying: “This brings a huge sigh of relief to the hostage families, to all of Israel, and to Palestinians who have suffered for so long in this horrific humanitarian catastrophe.”

“I hope and pray that all of the hostages are released, including the deceased hostages. Let me be clear: I will never give up until all of the hostages are home, including my constituents: Omer Neutra and Itay Chen. I’ve gotten to know their families well over the last two years, and I share their desperation to bring them home for proper burial and closure.”

What has been agreed?published at 05:42 BST

As we have been reporting, the full details of the first-phase ceasefire deal have not been disclosed officially. Here is what we know so far:

• A Palestinian source tells the BBC that the deal stipulates that 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained by Israeli forces since the war began will be released
• The source said Hamas has not received a list of Palestinian prisoners that Israel plans to release but this issue is expected to be resolved within hours
• A senior Palestinian official also tells the BBC that under the deal, Israel will allow 400 aid trucks to enter Gaza daily, with the number to increase gradually in later stages
• According to a White House official, Hamas will release the 20 living hostages during the first phase

• While it is a significant breakthrough, the first-phase deal is only the beginning, not the end. It’s a ceasefire, not a peace deal, writes our chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet
• Crucial details need to be discussed, writes our Middle East corrspondent Hugo Bachega

What to expect over the next few dayspublished at 05:31 BST

Here is what we know about how the coming days may unfold: A White House official said Israel’s cabinet will hold a vote on the peace plan on Thursday.

If Israel agrees then, it will have 24 hours to withdraw its troops.

That would kick off a 72-hour window during which Hamas may release the remaining hostages. The official said the US expects the release of the 20 hostages to begin on Monday, although Hamas may move to release them earlier. Trump said the hostages “will probably be released on Monday”.

Trump suggested on Wednesday that he may travel to the Middle East as the deal is being finalised late this week. He said he expects to arrive right around the time that the hostages are being released.

If you are just joining uspublished at 05:21 BST

Here is what you need to know about Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace deal:

• US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first first phase of a ceasefire peace deal for Gaza
• If formally approved by the Israeli government, it will pave the way for an end to the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the entry of aid into Gaza
• The Israeli government will meet on Thursday to approve the deal. If the deal is approved, the ceasefire will go into effect immediately. Hamas has also agreed to the deal.
• While world leaders, families of Israeli hostages and Palestinians displaced the war have welcomed the agreement, its details have not been fully disclosed.
• Negotiations for the deal were held in Egypt. Aside from the Egyptian government, Qatar, the US and Turkey also helped broker the talks.

Joy in Khan Younis and Tel Avivpublished at 05:09 BST

Yolande Knell
Middle East correspondent, in Jerusalem

“A big day for Israel,” the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on social media shortly after President Trump announced an agreement on the first stage of his plan. He’s expected to convene his government later to approve the deal. Hamas called on the US and other mediators to ensure that Israel implements the deal “without disavowal or delay”.

Joy as the news spread in the dark streets of Khan Younis in southern Gaza overnight – and in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, the mother of an Israeli held captive lit a firework celebrating what she hopes is her son’s imminent release.

A statement from the Hostages Families Forum expressed “profound gratitude to President Trump” for what it called an “historic breakthrough..”

Israel’s Security Cabinet is now due to meet followed by a full government meeting to authorise the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. Hamas has confirmed it’s waiting for final approval of the prisoner list. This is the third ceasefire reached since the start of a bloody war two years ago, and there’s hope on both sides that it marks a full end to the fighting.

It’s not clear if any international guarantees have been given to ensure that. There are also few details on thorny issues covered by the US peace plan. It requires Hamas to give up its weapons, something it’s repeatedly refused to do – and lays out plans for post-war governance and rebuilding of Gaza – much of which lies in ruins.

Credit: www.bbc.com