US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of his peace plan to end the war and release at least some hostages and prisoners.Trump announced the outline of his biggest success in months in the two-year war.
Trump wrote on social media, “This means that all the hostages will be released soon and Israel will withdraw its troops to a certain extent.” This will be the first step towards a strong, durable and lasting peace,” he said, adding that “all parties will be treated fairly.”
“With the help of Allah, we will bring them all back home,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media. Hamas said the deal would ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops as well as the entry of aid supplies and the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Officials familiar with the development told The Associated Press that Hamas plans to release all 20 surviving hostages later this week while Israeli forces begin withdrawing from much of Gaza.
