U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Thursday that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of his peace plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said shortly after, “With God’s help, we’re bringing everyone home.”
"I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"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. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!"
Before the announcement, Trump held a White House press conference where Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed him a note and whispered in his ear. Trump told reporters, “I was just given a note by the secretary of state, saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East and they're going to need me pretty quickly.”
According to reports by the Associated Press and Sky News, the note referred to a request for Trump to approve a Truth Social post so that he could be the first to announce the Gaza deal.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese network Al Mayadeen reported that Hamas agreed to the deal, citing “Palestinian resistance sources” who said the signing is expected Thursday in Egypt. A Hamas-linked source told Sky News Arabia that “the Gaza agreement is fully ready.” Saudi channel Al Hadath quoted sources saying Israel and Hamas will sign a ceasefire at noon, while Qatari broadcaster The New Arab reported that Palestinian factions approved the final text after revisions discussed in Sharm el-Sheikh.
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Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani (second from left) shakes hands with Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon (left), a member of the Israeli negotiation team
A Palestinian source told The New Arab that “the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting is still underway to finalize the wording before the official announcement. The remaining issues regarding Gaza have been resolved, and Trump will soon announce the agreement. Five crossings will immediately open to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, and there are adjustments to Israel’s withdrawal map.”
According to the same source, the agreement stipulates the release of 20 Israeli hostages alive in the first phase. It includes guarantees from the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey that neither side will return to fighting as long as the terms are upheld. Trump is expected to declare it a permanent ceasefire to the war. “The agreement is in its final drafting stage before the announcement,” the source added.
Israeli officials also expressed cautious optimism about a breakthrough that could end the war after more than two years. “We’re very close to a deal,” one source said. “It could happen tonight.” Footage shared by Arab media showed members of the Israeli, Hamas, Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish delegations smiling, shaking hands and embracing.
A senior Israeli official estimated that the announcement could come Thursday or Friday as a gesture to Trump, who confirmed Ynet’s earlier report that he might visit the Middle East next week. If an agreement is reached in the coming days, hostage releases could begin early next week.
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said Trump will undergo routine medical tests Thursday and is considering traveling to the Middle East shortly afterward. “Maybe I’ll go to the Middle East this week, maybe Sunday—to Egypt and other countries,” Trump told reporters before leaving the briefing room. A senior White House official told CNN that Trump is expected to post soon about the deal on Truth Social.
“There’s great optimism,” an Israeli official told Ynet ahead of the possible announcement. “At this point, Hamas doesn’t have many options. There are still details to finalize, but we’re very optimistic—cautiously. We’re dealing with a terror organization that could backtrack at the last minute.”
An Egyptian source close to the talks told Sky News Arabia that mediators gave both sides until Friday morning to sign the first phase of the agreement. Earlier Wednesday, before the note was passed to Trump, Rubio told reporters at the Capitol that “good progress” was being made in the Cairo negotiations.
First published: 02:15, 10.09.25