Hamas to Release Hostages as Israel Begins Troop Pullback, Trump Announces Peace Plan

New York (The Uttam Hindu): Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace agreement, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. This initial phase includes Hamas releasing all hostages and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, marking the first step toward a sustainable peace in Gaza.

President Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social: “I am proud to announce that both Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of our peace plan. All hostages will be released soon, and Israel will recall its soldiers to a defined limit. This is a historic step toward lasting peace.”

Trump added, “All parties will be treated fairly. This is a great day for Arab and Muslim nations, Israel, neighboring countries, and the United States. We thank Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for mediating and making this unprecedented achievement possible.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the announcement, stating, “With the first phase approved, all our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for Israel. Our commitment, military action, and the tireless efforts of President Trump brought us to this pivotal moment.”

Netanyahu further said, “From the beginning, we were determined not to rest until all hostages returned and all objectives were met. I thank President Trump for his leadership, partnership, and unwavering dedication to Israel’s security and the freedom of our hostages.”

The conflict began two years ago on October 7, when Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,250 Israeli civilians and taking around 250 hostages. In response, Israel struck back, neutralizing Hamas’s top leadership and severely damaging Gaza. Despite the devastation, both sides have now agreed to initiate the first phase of a peaceful resolution.