US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have 'both signed off' on the first phase of a peace plan for Gaza. '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 toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. The announcement follows three days of indirect talks in Egypt involving officials from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US. Both Israel and Hamas confirmed the agreement, but further negotiations are needed regarding the disarmament of Hamas and the governance of Gaza.

In a post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a 'great day', adding that he would 'convene the government tomorrow to ratify the agreement and bring all of our precious hostages home.' The agreement includes not just an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, but also a hostage-prisoner exchange, with Hamas urging Trump and other states to ensure compliance.

A senior White House official expressed confidence that hostages would begin to be released soon. Meanwhile, Qatari Foreign Minister Majed al-Ansari emphasized that the agreement would lead to an end to the conflict and facilitate aid into Gaza.

While the situation in Gaza remains tense, with reports of civilian casualties and the ongoing effect of a humanitarian crisis, the initial steps toward peace have sparked cautious optimism among international observers.

Earlier this week, expectations of a deal were heightened when Secretary of State Marco Rubio was seen handing Trump a note about the negotiations. The environment around Gaza remains complex and dynamic, but the signature of both parties marks a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.