Trump says Israel, Hamas agree on 'first phase' of Gaza ceasefire

US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his Gaza peace deal. He first announced the breakthrough in a post on social media.

Qatar, a key mediator in the ceasefire talks, confirmed the development, saying an agreement has been reached on “all the provisions and implementation mechanisms” of the first phase of a ceasefire plan, Al Jazeera reports.

Hamas said in a public statement that it has concluded an “agreement stipulating an end to the war on Gaza, the occupation’s withdrawal from it, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government on Thursday to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement, adding in a statement: “A great day for Israel”.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 67,183 people and wounded 169,841 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, attacks and about 200 were taken captive.