President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to “the first Phase of our Peace Plan.”
Hamas is expected to release all living hostages while Israel withdraws its troops “to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable and Everlasting Peace,” the U.S. president added.
“All Parties will be treated fairly!” Trump added.
He did not mention the demilitarization of Hamas or offer any details on the Gaza strip’s governance under this plan.
This agreement comes a day after the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack. As the Deseret News reported, Hamas killed more than 1,000 people and took more than 250 hostage on that day, sparking an Israeli counteroffensive that has led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.
In a social media post, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.”
Hamas in a statement said this agreement requires “an end to the war on Gaza, the occupation’s withdrawal from it, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange,” as per CNN.
Trump thanked Qatar, Egypt and Turkey for stepping up as mediators.
Dr. Majed Al Ansari, adviser to the Qatari prime minister, in a post on social media said “details will be announced later.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed Trump’s plans to travel to the Middle East on Friday after he visits the Walter Reed Medical Center to receive his routine yearly check up.
Two hours prior to the peace deal announcement, as the president hosted a roundtable on antifa and crime in Portland, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stepped in and passed a note to Trump.
“We are very close” to a peace deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump said after reviewing the note, per the White House press pool.
He closed the roundtable shortly after, saying he had to focus his attention on the conflict in the Middle East, and the press pool was ushered out.
When asked if he would consider visiting Gaza during his trip, he said he “may do that,” adding he will go to Egypt most likely.
While it is not clear what the final agreement will include, the details of the initial plan proposed by Trump included:
- Gaza will become a “deradicalized terror-free zone” that does not pose threats to neighboring countries.
- Gaza will be redeveloped for its people, “who have suffered more than enough.”
- A permanent ceasefire would begin immediately upon both parties agreeing to the proposal.
- Under the ceasefire, Israeli troops would withdraw from Gaza to an agreed upon line as a hostage release begins.
- Hostages, alive and dead, will be released by Hamas within 72 hours of the agreement.
- Israel would then release 250 prisoners with life sentences and the 1,700 Gazans who have been detained since the start of the war.
- Amnesty will be given to Hamas members who commit to non-violence and want to remain in Gaza. Those who wish to leave will be provided safe passage.
- Rehabilitation infrastructure and aid will be immediately sent to Gaza. Entry and distribution of the aid will not be interfered with.
- The Rafah crossing will be reopened in both directions to facilitate the aid deliveries.
- Gaza will be governed by a “temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” responsible for running the day-to-day public services. The committee will be overseen by a new international body, called the Board of Peace, which will be overseen by Trump and other international leaders.
- A “Trump economic development plan” will intend to “rebuild and energize Gaza.”
- Hamas will agree to not have any role in governance in Gaza, “directly, indirectly, or in any form.”
- The United States will work with Arab countries to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force to be deployed in Gaza. The force will provide support to Palestinian police forces to secure borders, prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the aid and infrastructure flow into the region.
- Israel will also agree to not occupy or annex Gaza, withdrawing the Israel Defense Force from the region on a timeframe agreed upon with the U.S., the International Stabilization Force and other involved parties.
- If Hamas does not agree, the plan will proceed in Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza.
- The plan includes a hope that this will create the conditions for a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” which the White House recognizes as the aspiration of Palestinian people.
Contributing: Lauren Irwin