Cover image via AFP
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Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal that could see the release of all remaining hostages within days, a major step towards ending more than two years of genocide in Gaza
The agreement, brokered in Egypt under a 20-point US peace plan backed by American President Donald Trump, calls for an immediate halt to fighting, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and a large-scale flow of humanitarian aid into a ravaged Gaza.
Under the deal's first phase, Hamas will release 20 living hostages in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences.
The swap is expected to begin within 72 hours of implementation, pending final approval by Israel's security cabinet, according to AFP.
Trump said he believed "all the hostages will be coming back on Monday", adding that Washington would help rebuild Gaza and support efforts to keep it "safe and peaceful".
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would bring the hostages home "with God's help", as his government prepared to meet on Thursday to endorse the agreement.
Qatar's foreign ministry described the deal as "the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid".
What are the terms of the deal?
- Israel will pull its troops back to an agreed line inside Gaza, pausing offensive operations.
- Hamas is expected to disarm gradually as part of the broader framework negotiated with Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
- The ceasefire will enable aid convoys to move freely into Gaza for the first time in months, addressing what the UN has called a "humanitarian catastrophe".
A source within Hamas confirmed that the group submitted a list of prisoners it wants released, among them high-profile Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti, reported AFP.
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said the group seeks "guarantees from President Trump and the sponsor countries that the war will end once and for all".
The deal comes two years after Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,219 people — mostly civilians — and saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza
According to Israeli authorities, 47 hostages remain unaccounted for, including 25 believed dead.
Since then, Israel's military campaign has killed at least 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Of this, more than half were women and children.
