Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of U.S. President Trump’s plan for Gaza, a deal that could be a first step towards ending the two-year-old war that has shaken the Middle East.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas will release the 20 remaining living hostages it is still holding, while Israel will pull back its forces to an agreed line and free nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
The announcement has been met with cautious optimism worldwide, drawing praise from world leaders as well as both Palestinian and Israeli communities. However, key questions remain unresolved, including the future governance of Gaza once the ceasefire comes into effect.
If fully implemented, the accord would represent the most significant progress yet toward halting a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and entangled regional powers such as Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen.
