International Desk, (EFE).- United States President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas agreed to sign the first phase of a peace framework that will allow for the swift release of all hostages and a limited withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
On his official Truth Social account, Trump said that this means «ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line.»
In his announcement, the president declared, «This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the US of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!»
«All Parties will be treated fairly!» Trump added.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, he noted that indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel were progressing well and that he expected to travel to the Middle East over the weekend.
Trump’s message mentions two main issues negotiators have been working on in Egypt this week: hostage release and Israeli withdrawal from certain parts of Gaza.
Wednesday afternoon, the White House reported that Trump will undergo a routine medical examination at a hospital outside Washington on Friday and is considering traveling to the Middle East. However, they did not detail whether the destination would be Egypt or if the trip would occur before or after a potential hostage release.
The first points of Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza contemplate the cessation of the Israeli offensive on Gaza and the release, within 72 hours, of all hostages held by Hamas, living and dead.
Furthermore, the agreement proposes the disarmament of the group, Israel’s withdrawal from the enclave, and the formation of a transitional government in the Strip.
The agreement between the two parties was announced two weeks after Trump presented the proposal alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
The proposal included a ceasefire, the release of hostages, the demilitarization of Hamas, and the establishment of an international administration supervised by the US.
Hamas: «We announce an agreement to end the war in Gaza»
The Islamist group announced that it reached an agreement with Israel to end the war in Gaza, which stipulates the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Strip, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the exchange of prisoners.
In a statement, Hamas stated that, after «responsible and serious negotiations» regarding US President Donald Trump’s proposal, the parties had reached an agreement implying an end to the «war of extermination» against the Palestinian people and the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas expressed its «deep appreciation» for the efforts of Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and President Trump in finalizing the agreement.
«We call on President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and the various Arab, Islamic, and international parties to compel the occupation government to fully implement the agreement’s commitments and not allow it to evade or delay its fulfillment,» Hamas stated.
«We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain. We will remain faithful to the pact and will not renounce the national rights of our people until we achieve freedom, independence, and self-determination,» they concluded.
Ratification of the Gaza agreement scheduled for Thursday
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will convene his government on Thursday to ratify the Gaza peace plan agreement signed with Hamas in Egypt.
He thanked US President Donald Trump for his commitment to releasing hostages from the Gaza Strip.
«It’s a great day for Israel. Tomorrow, I will convene the government to ratify the agreement and bring home all of our precious hostages,» Netanyahu said in a statement distributed by his office, shortly after Trump announced the agreement’s signing.
«I thank President Trump and his team wholeheartedly for their commitment to this sacred mission of releasing our hostages,» Netanyahu added, also thanking the «courage and sacrifice» of Israeli soldiers and security forces.
«God willing, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbors,» he concluded.
According to the Associated Press Hamas is set to release all 20 living hostages this weekend, while the Israeli military would withdraw from most of Gaza.
CNN also reported that the hostages are expected to be released on Saturday or Sunday. EFE
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