US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the Gaza hostages should be released on Monday or Tuesday and expressed hope to attend a signing ceremony in Egypt.
Opening a White House Cabinet meeting, Trump discussed a deal reached on Wednesday under which hostages held by Hamas militants are to be released as the first phase of a broader Gaza plan. He added that he believes the agreement will lead to “lasting peace.”
Trump also expressed “tremendous gratitude” toward Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their role in facilitating the peace deal. Speaking to the press, he said envoys from the three Arab countries were crucial in securing the agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“I think it's going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace,” Trump said.
On Thursday, Israel and Hamas officially confirmed a landmark agreement to implement a ceasefire and facilitate the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. This marks the first phase of Trump’s initiative to end the prolonged conflict in Gaza.
The deal, confirmed by officials from both sides following indirect negotiations in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, brings hope to Israelis and Palestinians after more than two years of devastating conflict, which has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives.
The agreement also allows humanitarian aid convoys carrying food and medical supplies to enter Gaza, providing relief to hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced after extensive destruction of homes and cities.
The ceasefire will take effect once Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government ratifies the deal, with a security cabinet meeting scheduled for later Thursday.
The announcement follows Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, unveiled last week, which has been broadly welcomed by Israel, Hamas, and the international community.
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