By agency reports
Israel and Hamas have agreed to end the war in Gaza after two years, with over 67,000 killed.
United States President Donald Trump made the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social.
According to Trump, Israel and the Hamas terrorist group have signed off on phase one of his Gaza peace plan.
Trump’s announcement comes as Hamas and Israeli officials are having indirect talks in Egypt on a 20-point peace proposal unveiled by Trump to end the two-year-old war.
“This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps towards a strong, durable and everlasting peace,” Trump said in the announcement.
“With God’s help, we will bring them all home,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after Trump’s announcement, referring to the Israeli hostages.
Hamas has also confirmed reaching a deal that provided for an end to the war in Gaza.
The Palestinian terrorist group said in a statement that “it has reached an agreement providing for an end to the war in Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupation, the entry of humanitarian aid and exchange of prisoners”.
It also called on the U.S. President to compel Israel to fully implement the agreement and “not allow it to evade or procrastinate in implementing what has been agreed.”
Netanyahu, in the statement, said it’s “a big day for Israel.”
“Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home.
“I thank the heroic IDF soldiers and all the security forces — thanks to their courage and sacrifice, we have reached this day,” he added.
Since Israel launched its military response to the Hamas cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, no fewer than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, and much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble.
A CNN satellite data analysis indicates that more than 60 per cent of all buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed since the conflict began.
The latest wave of destruction, following the end of the March 2025 ceasefire, is concentrated in Rafah, Khan Younis, and areas around Gaza City.
According to Israeli officials, around 1,200 people were killed during the initial Hamas attack, while 251 were taken hostage.
Of the 48 hostages still held, only about 20 are believed to be alive.
