Israel and Hamas agree to full hostage release in first step toward peace
Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal to free all remaining hostages held in Gaza – marking the first major step in US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the brutal two-year war.
The agreement is seen as the most significant diplomatic move since the conflict began, with tens of thousands killed, much of Gaza reduced to rubble, and fighting spilling across the wider Middle East.
Announced on Truth Social with a Bible verse
Trump announced the breakthrough in a post on Truth Social, his own social media platform, saying: “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.”
He ended the post “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!!!” – quoting a Bible verse (Matthew 5 v 9) from Jesus Christ’s ‘Sermon on the Mount.’
Netanyahu to convene government
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would call his cabinet together today “to approve the agreement and bring all our beloved hostages home.”
According to officials briefed on the talks, Hamas is expected to release all 48 hostages – including 20 believed to still be alive – within 72 hours of Israel’s formal approval.
World leaders welcomed the news, including British PM Keir Starmer.
First stage of wider plan
The deal forms part of a phased US-led peace initiative that would see Israeli forces pull back to agreed positions inside Gaza while negotiations continue over reconstruction, governance, and security guarantees.
If fully implemented, the plan could mark the beginning of the end of one of the region’s deadliest and most destabilising conflicts in decades.
