Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed “a critical turning point” in the Gaza war after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan.
The Israeli prime minister said it meant all remaining 48 hostages, 20 of whom are thought to still be alive, would be returned.
Gaza war latest: Celebrations as Trump announces peace deal
“Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we’ve reached this critical turning point,” he added.
The pause in the fighting will be accompanied by the release of Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from most of Gaza, and an increase in aid.
In Khan Younis, people celebrated in the streets, hopeful it marked the beginning of the end of a war that’s killed tens of thousands of Gazans.
The scenes were mirrored in Tel Aviv’s hostages’ square, where families rejoiced at the prospect of seeing their loved ones again. Some waved the US flag in celebration, chanting: “Nobel prize to Trump”.
The ceasefire will come into effect when Israel’s government ratifies the deal this evening, according to an official from Mr Netanyahu’s office.
Sir Keir Starmer called it a “moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world”.
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‘Hostages coming back,’ Trump tells families
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Hamas urged Mr Trump not to let Israel “evade or delay” the deal and said it hoped it would lead to the “complete withdrawal” of Israel from the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Defence Forces said it was “ready for any scenario” and that any troop movements “will be carried out in accordance with the directives” of its government.
‘A great day for the world’
President Trump, who unveiled the 20-point plan with Mr Netanyahu last week, announced the breakthrough on Truth Social just before midnight UK time.
He had warned Hamas to quickly accept the deal or face devastating consequences.
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” he posted.
Analysis: For the moment, at least, a beacon of optimism
Rumours had been spreading over the course of the day, anticipation grew.
A source told me that a deal would be done by Friday, another said perhaps by Thursday evening.
They were both wrong. Instead, it came much sooner, announced by Donald Trump on his own social media channel.
Without being anywhere near the talks in Egypt, the president was the dominant figure.
Few will argue that he deserves the credit for driving this agreement. We can probably see the origins of all this in Israel’s decision to try to kill the Hamas leadership in Doha.
The attack failed, and the White House was annoyed.
Arab states started to express themselves to Trump more successfully, arguing that it was time for him to rein in Benjamin Netanyahu and bring an end to the war.
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The president said Israel would withdraw its troops “to an agreed upon line” as part of the arrangement.
He also thanked mediators for their part in negotiations in Egypt this week, including those from Qatar and Turkey. The delegates were pictured hugging and celebrating as the deal was announced.
President Trump called it a “great day for the world” and told Fox News the hostages could be released on Monday.
The US leader said he could travel to the Middle East, and perhaps even Gaza, as soon as this weekend.
The announcement came after Marco Rubio handed Mr Trump a note during a White House event.
“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,” the president said.
The note had the two words “very close” underlined.
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Moment Rubio hands Trump note on Gaza
Mr Trump’s plan had called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all the hostages still held in Gaza since the October 2023 attack that sparked the war.
Hamas was seeking guarantees that Israel would not resume its military campaign after it frees the hostages.
Other elements include a requirement that Hamas disarm – though there’s no word so far if any progress on this had been achieved.
The group has repeatedly refused this prospect in the past, but Israel insists it must happen.
Mr Trump’s plan also proposes the creation of an international body to run Gaza once Hamas steps down – led by Mr Trump, with a role for Sir Tony Blair.
Trump and Netanyahu announced the plan at the end of last month. Pic: Reuters
The British prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, paid tribute to the hostages, their families, as well as civilians in Gaza “who have all endured unimaginable suffering”.
“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,” said Sir Keir Starmer.
“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.”
Israel had reduced its military campaign in Gaza ahead of Mr Trump’s announcement, but had not stopped strikes completely.
Medical authorities in Gaza reported eight people had been killed in the last 24 hours – the lowest number for weeks.
More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but says around half were women and children.
Hamas’s terror attack on Israel killed about 1,200 people, with around 250 kidnapped and taken into Gaza.
This story originally appeared on Skynews
