Hostages held in Gaza could be released within days following an agreement between Israel and Hamas on the first phase of a peace deal brokered under the US President Donald Trump’s mediation efforts.
Announcing the breakthrough, President Trump said the agreement would pave the way for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
According to the BBC’s Yolande Knell, Israel’s government is expected to meet later today to formally approve the deal. If endorsed, a ceasefire would come into immediate effect. The proposal is widely expected to pass.
The US government says all remaining Israeli hostages are set to be released by Monday. However, a Palestinian source told the BBC that Hamas has not yet received the final list of Palestinian prisoners that Israel plans to release in exchange.
Hamas has confirmed its acceptance of the deal, describing it as a crucial step towards easing tensions and ending the prolonged conflict. Still, BBC correspondent Hugo Bachega notes that despite the optimism, key details remain unresolved, and there is no guarantee that the broader peace process will hold.
Celebrations erupted across parts of Gaza and in Israeli towns as news of the agreement spread. Families of hostages and Palestinians affected by the conflict described the deal as a long-awaited glimmer of hope after months of bloodshed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the agreement as “a great day” for his country, adding that it marked “a critical step towards restoring peace and bringing our people home.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the development, calling it “a moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world.”
The agreement follows weeks of high-stakes negotiations mediated by Egyptian officials and backed by Washington, marking one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs in the region in recent years.
While optimism remains high, diplomats warn that the success of the ceasefire and prisoner exchanges will depend on both sides’ commitment to implementing the terms of the deal in the coming days.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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