JOY erupted across Israel and Gaza as a historic deal to free hostages and stop the war was sealed.
Peacemaker said 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 more remaining in the Hamas terror stronghold
Celebrating Israelis in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv
A woman was seen holding ‘I love Trump’ banners
Happy Israelis were seen hugging after Trump’s announcement
The world breathed a sigh of relief when Trump announced the peace deal
And the bloodbath war in Gaza – which Hamas claims has killed 67,000 Palestinians since the October 7 attacks – will finally end.
Talks on both sides were continuing on Thursday amid anxiety that the fragile truce framework could still fall apart.
But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a meeting of ministers to ratify the deal amid soaring hopes of a full ceasefire in the coming hours.
Once the guns fall silent, Hamas will be given 72 hours to free all Israeli hostages, alive and dead – which is likely to happen on Sunday or Monday.
will then free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7 – and up to 600 trucks-a-day will flood the blitzed strip with aid.
The next phase of the deal could then see a new “Board of Peace” run by ex-UK PM take control of Gaza before handing the enclave back to peace-loving Palestinians.
Jubilant scenes of celebration broke out as news first broke that Hamas had agreed to the peace deal after Trump was passed a note on live TV.
The US president was hosting a roundtable event with conservative influencers at the when his Secretary of State Marco Rubio was seen trying to catch his eye.
Moments later Rubio handed over a note and Trump announced: “I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we’re very close to a deal on the , and they’re gonna need me pretty quickly,”
Soon after, on the Truth Social site, Trump said: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan.
“All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a great day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the of America.
“We thank the mediators from , , and , who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
The US president is expected to fly to the Middle East to seal his deal over the weekend and said he may even go to Gaza.
He added that fighting would stop “very soon” as Israeli troops begin withdrawing, taking the first steps to a “strong, durable, and everlasting peace.”
What we know so far…
- Trump announced a historic agreement was reached towards ending the war in Gaza
- Sir Keir Starmer said it was a ‘moment of profound relief’
- Celebrations erupted on the streets of Israel and Gaza after the deal was announced
- Israeli government will convene today to formally approve the peace plan
- IDF is expected to withdraw its soldiers in less than 24 hours
- Hamas is expected to begin releasing all hostages over the weekend
Jubilant Trump – vying for the Nobel Peace Prize due to be announced later this week – later made a speakerphone call to grateful hostage families.
Relatives cheered and thanked him while gathered around a phone as he pledged their loved ones would be home “on Monday.”
Jubilant scenes erupted in Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv soon after as sombre “Bring Them Home” vigils were replaced by wild chanting and jigs of joy.
US stars and stripes banners were flown alongside Israeli flags while one woman paraded in all-American garb with an “I love Trump” banner.
Rebecca Bohbot, wife of father-of-one Elkana, 36, who is believed to be among the 20 Israelis still alive in Gaza beamed: “For two years I have been fighting for the life of my man.
Donald Trump announced Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of the deal
People celebrating the news that a peace deal has been signed My view from Hostage Square in Tel Aviv
by Nick Parker, Foreign Editor
FOR two years it has been a place steeped in sadness and anxiety and the epicentre of a nation’s trauma.
Hostage Square in the centre of Tel Aviv is where families of snatched captives gathered to pray and plead for an end to their torment, backed by thousands of supporters.
But joy erupted amid the faded yellow ribbons and flickering candles for the first time on Thursday as news broke that a peace deal had finally been sealed.
And hostage families spoke of their hope and trepidation as Israelis dared to dream of the loved ones’ long awaited homecoming.
I have visited the square many times since the October 7 attacks launched by Hamas claimed 1,200 lives and detonated the Gaza conflict and seen their pain first hand.
And it was heartwarming to see a carnival atmosphere and smiles on so many faces in a place so long associated with heartbreak and suffering.
My hope now, shared by the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians, is that the fragile deal can somehow begin to heal the hate.
Phase one may stop the war and bring the hostages home – but this is just the first step in what still promises to be a long and very rocky road.
ENDS
“This is the moment that a little boy will return to hug his father, a moment when my family comes back to life.”
Silvia Cunio, mother of hostage David, 34, sobbed after Trump’s address: “I dream of the hugs, the kisses.
“I thank everyone for the warm embrace these past two years — it gave me the strength to keep going.”
David’s wife Sharon posted a picture of the couple with their two girls, writing: “Emma and Yulie, dad is coming home.”
Danny Miran, father of hostage Omri Miran, 48, said he was “smiling from ear to ear, but with tears of joy.”
He added, “My two eldest granddaughters came over, and we danced together in the hallway. I’ve been waiting more than two years for this moment.”
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, 24, shared an emotional message on social media, saying, “I have prayed for these tears – Matan is coming home.”
Israeli medical teams were on standby to receive living hostages amid fears many will be seriously ill and traumatised after two years in Hamas hell.
And families of all of those hoping to hug loved ones and rebuild their shattered lives, backed by medical care and counselling likely to take years.
Merav Gilboa-Dalal, mother of 24-year-old hostage Guy, said, “The main thing is that my son should come back healthy and on his own two feet. That’s what I wish for all of us.”
British hostage Emily Damari, 29, who was freed after 471 days in Gaza was also seen hugging Israeli pals as news of the breakthrough broke.
Hostage supporter Lee Zedik, 49, from Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, said as she danced in the square: “It’s for all of our brothers and sisters.
“They’re coming home to Israel after unimaginable suffering. We have wanted them back for so long and we are happy.
“We’re singing out of pure joy and happiness – we’re singing for our community and for peace.”
“This is what peace and happiness looks like.”
Israeli soldier’s wife Merav (pic) , 39, also from Ramat Gan, said: “I am so happy, along with everybody else that this looks like the war is over.
The devastating war between Israel and Hamas
By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter
While the conflict between Israel and Palestine dates back decades, the current fighting erupted two years ago when Hamas fanatics attacked Israel in a massive terror attack.
On , slaughtering over 1,200 Israelis and .
Since then, in an effort to eradicate the group and .
Tel Aviv’s retaliatory assault and siege on Gaza created a devastating humanitarian crisis, perpetuating a brutal cycle of attack and counter-attack.
Amid international cries for peace, Israeli PM .
His goal to deradicalise Gaza – and the terror group’s existential struggle – created a political and military stalemate in the narrow strip.
The sheer scale of destruction and hardening of positions made it difficult for diplomats to adopt a political solution.
However, with Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point peace plan for Gaza, an end to the bloody war looks near.
“My husband has 100 soldiers serving under him in Gaza and I worry for them all.
“I will hopefully no longer have to worry about whether he is safe or in danger.”
The outpouring of joy in Hostage Square was tinged with sadness for those preparing to receive the bodies of their loved ones.
Hamas claimed to have lost track of up to 15 of the bodies in the Gaza war zone – leaving Israeli families unsure whether they will be able to bury their dead.
Rotem Cooper, 59, who learned his 85-year-old father Amiram had died in captivity last June told The Sun: “Receiving my father’s both will give us some kind of closure.
“But if this deal had been done sooner he might still be alive today.
“No politician should get points for bringing my father’s body home in a bag.
“The priority should always have been to bring them all home alive and we now have a long list of funerals to get through.
“We’re celebrating today but there’s still a lot of anger.”
Israelis were chanting jigs of joy
Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas
Big crowds gathered in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv Trump's 20-point peace plan in full
- 1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone
- 2. Gaza will be redeveloped
- 3. The war will immediately end
- 4. Within 72 hours, all hostages will be returned
- 5. Israel will release 250 dangerous prisoners plus 1700 Gazans detained after Oct 7th
- 6. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage
- 7. Full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip
- 8. Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference
- 9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee
- 10. A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created
- 11. A special economic zone will be established
- 12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza
- 13. Hamas agrees to not have any role in the governance of Gaza
- 14. A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas comply with obligations
- 15. The US will work to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force in Gaza
- 16. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza
- 17. If Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, Israel can proceed with invasion
- 18. An interfaith dialogue process will be established
- 19. Credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood can begin
- 20. The US will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians for peaceful and prosperous co-existence
