Israel and Hamas agree on Gaza ceasefire, hostage release

Israel and Hamas agree on complete ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from 70% of Gaza. US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Israel and Palestinian militant outfit Hamas have reached an agreement on the 'first phase' of plan to stop the fighting in Gaza and release hostages as well as prisoners. Trump said in a post on social media. Trump tells Reuters that a Gaza hostages-for-ceasefire deal hammered out in Egypt represented “a great day for the world.” “The whole world has come together on this one, Israel, every country has come together. This has been a fantastic day,” Trump tells Reuters in a brief telephone interview. “This is a great day for the world. This is a wonderful day, a wonderful day for everybody,” he says.Trump shares a video of several relatives of hostages in Gaza thanking him for securing their loved ones’ freedom from Hamas captivity.

New media post from Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/4swabvc1lM

— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 8, 2025

Shortly after Trump's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said all hostages will be brought home with god's help. Mediator Qatar also confirmed that agreement has been reached for first phase of Gaza ceasefire. Netanyahu invited Trump to address the Knesset in Israel, and the two leaders “agreed to continue their close cooperation,” the statement adds.
The agreement was reached just a day after the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, as indirect talks in Egypt produced a breakthrough on the initial stage of Trump’s 20-point peace framework. Negotiators from the United States, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar have been working on the framework of Trump’s proposed hostages-for-ceasefire deal.The Deal will be formally SIGNED at noon on Thursday – Israel’s Channel 12 says.