Ceasefire Agreement Announced for Gaza, Trump to Visit Egypt

URGENT UPDATE: A ceasefire in Gaza could take effect within 24 hours, following a significant agreement reached by all parties involved. Israeli officials confirmed that the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage release deal has been signed in Egypt, which aims to “bring the end to this war.” The announcement follows a 20-point peace plan for Gaza presented last month by US President Donald Trump.

US envoy Steve Witkoff stated Trump is set to travel to Egypt next week for a celebratory event marking the agreement’s conclusion. Trump expressed optimism about the timing, saying, “I’m going to try and make a trip over… We’re working on the timing, the exact timing.”

Despite the hopeful atmosphere in Israel and Gaza, key issues remain unresolved, including the demand for Hamas to disarm and the establishment of a proposed interim “Board of Peace” led by Trump to oversee Gaza’s governance. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan firmly rejected the idea, stating, “No Palestinian would accept this.”

Shortly after the announcement, celebrations erupted in Gaza, where many residents have endured extreme hardship and displacement. Thousands in Israel gathered in Tel Aviv, waving flags and holding photos of hostages, displaying stickers reading: “They’re coming back.”

The ceasefire is contingent on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convening his security cabinet for a meeting scheduled at 3 PM Irish time. Government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian reported, “The final draft of phase one was signed this morning in Egypt by all parties to release all the hostages.” Under the terms, all hostages, both living and deceased, are set to be released within 72 hours, bringing the timeline to Monday.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar remarked that the release of hostages “should bring the end to this war,” emphasizing the deal’s potential impact. The agreement outlines a military withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. A Hamas source indicated that the group would exchange 20 living hostages simultaneously for the prisoners.

The deal also anticipates a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the United Nations has declared a state of famine.

The negotiations unfolded in Sharm El-Sheikh, with Arab leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, expressing hope that the ceasefire could lead to a permanent resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. However, deeper issues remain unaddressed.

Hamas has submitted a list of prisoners it seeks to be released, including 250 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 1,700 others arrested since the war began. Notably, high-profile inmate Marwan Barghouti, from the rival Fatah movement, is among those Hamas wants released, but Israeli officials have stated he will not be part of the exchange.

As the ceasefire talks progress, they occur against the backdrop of the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, primarily civilians. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has led to an estimated 67,194 deaths, according to the territory’s health ministry.

Despite the agreement, reports of continued strikes in Gaza surfaced shortly after the announcement, indicating ongoing tensions in the region. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged mediators to convince Israel to de-escalate or cease fire until the agreement is officially signed.

Pressure to conclude the conflict has intensified globally, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating, “The fighting must stop once and for all.” As the situation develops, this ceasefire agreement represents a critical turning point for both Israel and Gaza. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving situation.