Celebrations erupt after Israel and Hamas agree to phase one deal
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal. Celebrations erupt in Gaza, Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
The Israel Defense Forces announced that a ceasefire has come into effect in the Gaza Strip, after the Israeli government approved the first phase of President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
An October 10 statement from the IDF said Israeli forces were redeploying “along the latest lines of development” and preparing for the return of hostages held in Gaza. The statement warned that the military “continues to eliminate any immediate threats.”
The early approval of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, a milestone in efforts to end the two-year war, came after several hours of debate by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet on October 9 and presentations by Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Negotiators from Israel and Hamas reached a deal on October 8, which President Trump announced on social media.
“This means that all hostages will soon be freed and that Israel will withdraw its forces to agreed fronts as a first step toward a strong, lasting, and everlasting peace,” President Trump wrote at the time.
The first phase of President Trump’s plan called for the release of Israeli hostages within 72 hours of an agreement being reached in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
The agreement comes after repeated failed attempts to quell the two-year war, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.
Release of the hostages is likely to begin on Monday, October 13, but they could be returned sooner, US officials said. Of the 48 hostages left in Gaza, 20 are believed to be alive.
President Trump plans to visit the Middle East in the coming days, and on October 9th said he would address the Israeli parliament if invited.
