Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Oct 9: In a major diplomatic breakthrough, US President Donald Trump announced early on Thursday that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all remaining hostages.

Moments before the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring every hostage back home. “With God’s help, we will bring them all home,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel’s Security Cabinet would meet at noon to approve the deal. According to reports, both sides have agreed on the maps outlining the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and have finalised the details of a prisoner exchange. The agreement is expected to be signed in Egypt, as reported by Saudi outlet Al-Hadath.

Shortly after Trump’s declaration, he and Netanyahu held what the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office described as an “emotional and warm” phone conversation. Both leaders congratulated each other on what they called a historic achievement for peace. “It is a great day for Israel and for the world,” Trump told Axios. “My call with Bibi was great. He is so happy. The whole world has come together to reach this deal, including countries that were once enemies.” Trump also confirmed that he would visit the Middle East over the weekend and address the Israeli Knesset during his trip.

Before the official announcement, images surfaced on Arab media showing negotiators shaking hands, including Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon, head of Israel’s Hostages Headquarters, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Hamas confirmed the ceasefire deal in a statement, saying it ensures Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of humanitarian aid. “We highly value the efforts of our brothers, the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, as well as the efforts of US President Donald Trump aimed at permanently ending the war and securing the full withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip,” the statement read.

A Palestinian source told al-Araby al-Jadeed that all 20 surviving Israeli hostages will be released in a single batch during the first phase of the agreement. Reports from Sky News Arabia indicated that the deal includes a full ceasefire and a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from 70 percent of Gaza, to be carried out alongside a simultaneous prisoner exchange.

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said all provisions of the first phase have been agreed upon. “This agreement will end the war, secure the release of hostages and prisoners, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he stated.