Israel and Hamas agree to Donald Trump's peace plan as President hails 'wonderful day for the world'

Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, the President has revealed.

Mr Trump said on Wednesday: "I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our peace plan.

"This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace.

"All parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this historic and unprecedented event happen.

"Blessed are the peacemakers!"

He later said: "The whole world has come together on this one, Israel, every country has come together. This has been a fantastic day. This is a great day for the world. This is a wonderful day, a wonderful day for everybody."

Under the sprawling 20-point plan, the Gaza Strip will be “deradicalised and redeveloped”, Hamas’s Israeli hostages will be released after more than two years, and Sir Tony Blair will be brought in to head up a so-called “Board of Peace”.

This includes the release of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and the entry of aid.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to ensure the release of all the hostages saying: "With God's help, we will bring them all home."

It is understood he will convene his Government on Thursday to approve the agreement.

Israel is understood to be expecting the first hostages to be released on Saturday.

Hamas, meanwhile, called on Mr Trump and other "guarantor states" to ensure Israel implements the deal.

The terrorist group had already confirmed the list of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged.

The deal was struck a day after the two-year anniversary of Hamas's massacre in southern Israel which sparked the conflict.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE - READ MORE: 

• Woman who removed Israeli hostage ribbons from memorial on October 7 questioned by police
• Greta Thunberg shares image of 'Palestinian prisoner' - which is actually ISRAELI hostage
• Ben Leo stunned as pro-Gaza activist flies Hamas terror flag in central New York - on October 7
• Palestine protesters chant 'from the river to the sea' at UK universities on October 7 anniversary

Around 1,200 people were killed on October 7, 2023, and 251 were taken hostage back to Gaza.

It is believed of the 48 hostages who are still in Gaza, 20 are alive.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Trump said that he might travel to Egypt this weekend.

The country is where his envoys had been holding the talks trying to seal the agreement.

In a moment reminiscent of George W Bush being told of the 9/11 attacks, the President was handed a note by Marco Rubio during a White House event on Wednesday.

Mr Trump said: "I was just given a note by the Secretary of State saying that we're very close to a deal in the Middle East, and they're going to need me pretty quickly."

"You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first," the handwritten note said. Just minutes later, the post was published.

Mr Trump has long strived to be seen as a peacemaker President, and during his first year back in office has already received three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

One had already come from Mr Netanyahu after Mr Trump bombed Iran's nuclear facilities in June.

Another came from Pakistan after the Commander-in-Chief ensured a ceasefire between the nation and India, and the most recent was after he intervened in the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

After the deal on Wednesday, the White House released an image of Mr Trump captioned "the Peace President".

The winner of the prize is set to be announced on Friday.

Reacting to the news during his visit to India, Sir Keir Starmer said: "I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump's peace plan for Gaza.

"This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years."

The PM, like Mr Trump, hailed the "tireless diplomatic efforts" of the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey - which have been crucial in moving towards peace, the Prime Minister said.

He added: "This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace.

"The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan."

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter