Israel and Hamas Sign First Phase of U.S.-Brokered Gaza Ceasefire Deal; Israeli Army to Withdraw from the Strip

The development raced across major international outlets: Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement and signed the first phase of the United States proposal for a Gaza Strip ceasefire, with a hostageprisoner exchange expected within the next 48 hours.

U.S. President Donald Trump first announced the breakthrough on his Truth Social platform: I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of our Peace Plan, the president wrote.

This means that all hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw its troops to an agreed line as first steps toward a strong, enduring peace, Trump added.

Separately, Hamas confirmed in a statement that it has already delivered the lists of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged with Israel under the agreement.

Hamas announces it has reached an agreement that includes ending the genocide in Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupiers, the entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange, the groups statement reads.