WATCH: Israel, Hamas agree to peace deal, Trump says

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan, bringing the two-year war closer to an end, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday evening.

The president made an initial announcement during an Antifa roundtable event in the State Dining Room after Secretary of State Marco Rubio slipped him a note in front of a room of journalists. Trump said he would be traveling to the Middle East toward the end of the week to help finalize the deal.

Last week, Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where the pair announced a 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas with an emphasis on releasing the remaining Israeli hostages.

In a Truth Social post Wednesday night, the president led with that portion of the deal.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon,” the president posted.

As part of the deal, Israel would be required to withdraw their troops to “an agreed upon line.”

Trump touted the first phase “as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.”

“All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen,” the president wrote.

Trump also said he would likely travel to Egypt to oversee the finalization of the deal.

The 20-point plan, which Trump proposed to end the war in Gaza, calls for a “terror-free zone” in Gaza, redevelopment of the territory, and the return of all Israeli hostages, including the dead, within 72 hours of Israel accepting the agreement.

To oversee the success of the plan, the president says that if it’s accepted, he will lead it.

“Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the ‘Board of Peace,’ which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair,” according to Trump’s plan.

“This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment,” the plan continued.

The plan underscores that Hamas will have no role in the governance of Gaza, adding that regional partners will “ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations.” It also ensures that Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza.

The announcement comes as Israel marked the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attacks by Hamas.