US President Donald Trump said Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a peace framework that will allow for the swift release of all hostages. An Israeli source said the hostages are expected to be released on Saturday or Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “With God’s help we will bring them all home,” in reference to the hostages. Hamas said the agreement stipulates “an end to the war on Gaza, the occupation’s withdrawal from it, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange.”
Trump’s announcement on social media did not mention some thorny topics that will need to be resolved, including Hamas’s disarmament and the future governance of the enclave.
Trump has been in the Oval Office on the phone this evening since he left the State Dining Room, where he had said a Gaza deal was close, a White House official said.
He spoke to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about an hour ago, reviewing his Truth Social with them before he posted.
That call lasted “a while,” the official said.
A senior White House official told CNN the White House assesses hostages will begin being released on Monday, though it is possible the timeline could move up.
The official outlined the anticipated timeline, beginning with the deal going before the Israeli Cabinet on Thursday.
“Once they vote yes, Israel has to withdraw to the line which should take under 24 hours,” the official said. “Then the 72 hour clock begins, and Hamas will try to go earlier if possible.”
