Trump Announces Israel, Hamas Agree on First Phase of Gaza Peace Plan
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that both parties have "both signed off" on the first phase of his peace plan for Gaza. According to Trump's statement on Truth Social, this agreement marks the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from an agreed-upon line as initial steps towards a lasting peace.
The announcement comes after three days of indirect talks in Egypt, mediated by officials from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US. Both Israel and Hamas confirmed the agreement had been reached. "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 wrote on Truth Social.
The development is seen as a crucial step towards ending the two-year conflict in Gaza. The agreement was reached after intense negotiations that aimed at bringing an end to the violence. According to Al Jazeera, US President Donald Trump said Hamas and Israel have agreed on the first phase of his plan for a ceasefire in the war on Gaza and an exchange of captives.
The indirect talks were facilitated by officials from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US, who met in Egypt over the past three days. The agreement marks a significant breakthrough in the peace process, which has been ongoing for years. "I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan," Trump said.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, with Israeli forces carrying out air strikes on the Tel al-Hawa and Sabra neighborhoods in Gaza. The attacks have resulted in significant loss of life and property damage.
According to experts, the agreement is a crucial step towards achieving peace in the region. "This agreement marks a significant breakthrough in the peace process," said Dr. Amira Ali, a Middle East expert at the University of Cairo. "The release of hostages and withdrawal of Israeli troops are essential steps towards ending the conflict."
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the agreement will be implemented on the ground. The next steps will be crucial in determining the success of the peace plan.
Background
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for two years, with both sides suffering significant losses. The conflict began in October 2023, when Israeli forces carried out air strikes on Gaza, leading to a prolonged period of violence.
Next Steps
The agreement marks an important step towards achieving peace in the region. However, much work remains to be done to implement the plan and bring about lasting peace. According to Trump's statement, the release of hostages and withdrawal of Israeli troops are initial steps towards a lasting peace. The next steps will be crucial in determining the success of the peace plan.
Attribution
This article is based on information from BBC World and Al Jazeera news sources.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and Al Jazeera.
