ISLAMABAD: Israel and Hamas consented to the first half of the US-brokered Gaza peace deal, a breakthrough in the months-long effort to end the war.
Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, in a social media announcement, announced the breakthrough and went on to add that the agreement includes the immediate release of all the hostages and partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
“This is an excellent start to a long and lasting peace,” Trump added, indicating that everyone on board will be treated equally. He thanked Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators for their invaluable input in securing the deal.
The announcement has been called a historic, unprecedented diplomatic triumph, with Trump calling it a “great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, the neighboring states, and the United States.”
A formal ceasefire announcement is expected later in the day as part of the agreement’s first phase, sources said.
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Qatari Foreign Ministry also stated that an agreement has been reached on the first phase of a ceasefire for Gaza, which entails:
Halting of hostilities
Release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners
Supply of humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip
Further details of the agreement will be provided, officials said.
