U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have reached an agreement and signed the first stage of a peace plan aimed at ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The announcement was made on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, reports Baltimore Chronicle citing Fox News.
According to Trump, the peace plan includes the imminent release of all hostages and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces to designated positions. He described the deal as “the first step toward lasting, enduring, and eternal peace,” emphasizing that “all sides will be treated fairly.” Both Israel and Hamas confirmed the achievement of the agreement.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump stated that the release of hostages is expected on Monday, October 13. He did not confirm whether he would travel to the region, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited him to address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Sunday.
Netanyahu announced that he would convene his cabinet to approve the ceasefire and hostage release agreement. He reiterated that Israel’s goal remains unchanged — to bring every hostage home and ensure the country’s objectives are fully achieved.
Videos circulating on social media show crowds of Palestinians in Khan Younis and central Gaza dancing and singing in celebration of the announced ceasefire. Meanwhile, in Washington, families of hostages met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who facilitated a phone conversation with Trump. The families thanked him for his involvement and efforts to secure the return of their loved ones.
The White House released a detailed 20-point peace plan outlining an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages within 72 hours after Israel and Hamas officially endorse the agreement. The plan envisions a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which is to become a “deradicalized zone that poses no threat to its neighbors.”
Hamas has agreed to free all captives taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and to transfer administrative control of Gaza to an independent Palestinian government formed through national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic nations.
At the same time, Israeli authorities have ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to halt their offensive operations in Gaza, marking the first concrete step toward implementing the peace accord.
Earlier we wrote that Donald Trump portrayed as demon at India’s Durga Puja festival.
