Breaking news: A groundbreaking peace initiative unfolds as Israel and Hamas reportedly agree on the first step toward ending the Gaza conflict. But here's where it gets controversial—can this fragile agreement truly hold? Relatives of hostages caught in this prolonged conflict have shared their emotional responses to the anticipated hostages' release, expressing both hope and relief. For example, Eli Sharabi, who tragically lost his wife and children, and whose brother’s remains remain in Hamas custody, expressed immense joy on social media, saying, “Great joy, can’t wait to see everyone home.” Similarly, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker posted, “Matan returns home to me, to you, to the country. For these tears, I prayed,” while Nimrod Cohen’s mother posted simply, “My child, you are coming home.” Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, now an advocate for releasing her friends—the Berman twins, Gali and Ziv—celebrated alongside fellow former hostage Romi Gonen with prayers of thanks and a toast with the Hebrew phrase “L’chaim,” meaning “to life.” Their brother Liran Berman also shared a heartfelt message, “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You're coming home.”
The White House has indicated that the release of hostages is expected to begin as early as Monday, following a critical vote by Israel's cabinet set for the next day. According to senior officials, Israel must withdraw its troops to a pre-agreed line—a process anticipated to take less than a day. Following Israel’s pullback, a 72-hour countdown for releasing hostages will commence. A White House source noted that while the official estimate points to Monday, Hamas may try to advance the release if possible.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed this development as "a great day for Israel," announcing plans to convene the government for approval and emphasizing the goal of bringing "all our dear hostages home." He extended gratitude to Israeli forces and credited U.S. President Donald Trump and his team for their tireless efforts toward this "sacred mission" of securing hostages' freedom.
From Hamas’s perspective, their official statement outlines that this agreement will bring an end to the war in Gaza, guarantee a full withdrawal of occupation forces, facilitate humanitarian aid, and enable a prisoner exchange. Hamas publicly thanked mediators from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and President Trump, urging these parties to ensure Israel abides by the terms. They also praised the resilience of Gaza’s people, describing their bravery and determination to secure freedom, independence, and self-determination as unwavering.
Breaking developments reveal Hamas has confirmed the peace deal aimed at concluding the Gaza conflict. Moreover, Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced the deal's successful ratification and stated it would lead to ending the war, releasing Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, with further details promised soon.
Netanyahu reassured the public, saying, “With God’s help, we will bring them all home,” underlining the emotional weight and importance of the hostages' release.
This announcement follows intense diplomatic negotiations held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, alongside a flurry of activity at the White House. President Trump indicated plans to travel to Egypt imminently to continue talks, signaling the seriousness with which the U.S. is pursuing this breakthrough. An intriguing moment occurred when Secretary of State Marco Rubio quietly handed Trump a note during an unrelated event, informing him that the deal was very near completion—sparking anticipation of a final announcement.
The White House atmosphere has been charged yet quiet, with journalists awaiting developments longer than usual. The announcement, which appeared first on President Trump's social media platform, triggered a sudden burst of activity among correspondents scrambling to report this historic moment.
President Trump's social media post boldly declared, “Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” pointing out that this milestone means all hostages will soon be released and Israeli troops will withdraw to a previously agreed boundary. He emphasized that this would be a step toward a "Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace" that treats all parties fairly. He further hailed the day as a major victory for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, neighboring countries, and the United States, praising Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their mediation efforts and extolling the virtues of peacemakers.
Despite the progress, no exact date has been set yet for President Trump's visit to the Middle East. His press secretary shared that he has a planned visit to Walter Reed Medical Center for a routine checkup and troop engagement, after which he may journey to the region for further diplomatic efforts.
This extraordinary series of events began to take shape when Marco Rubio discreetly passed a note to Trump indicating the peace deal was imminent. Trump confirmed to reporters he had to focus on Middle East developments and hinted at potential travel to Gaza and Egypt to solidify the agreements.
While the world watches with cautious optimism, this nascent peace deal raises important questions: Will all parties honor the agreements made? Can this first phase truly lead to lasting peace in a region marred by decades of conflict? And importantly, will the hostages' release mark a turning point or just a momentary pause? These are issues that demand open discussion and scrutiny—do you believe this breakthrough can withstand the immense challenges ahead? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.
