Hamas and Israel to sign ceasefire agreement | LIVE BLOG
20 hostages will be released by Sunday evening and the IDF will withdraw from 70 percent of the Gaza Strip; Trump will fly to Israel to speak at the Knesset after the release of the hostages
Day 734 of the Israel-Hamas war
Hamas representatives and Israel will convene to sign a ceasefire agreement on Thursday at noon local time, implementing the initial phase of the US-proposed deal including the release of all Israeli hostages.
US President Donald Trump announced overnight Wednesday into Thursday that Hamas and Israel had reached an agreement after announcement of his 20-point Gaza peace plan on September 29, which led to talks between Hamas mediators and Israel later developing into two days of intensive negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh. Qatar, Egypt, the US, and Turkey signed as guarantors of the agreement.
“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote on social media Wednesday night.
The first stage of the deal, involving an immediate ceasefire and release of the remaining 20 living hostages as early as Saturday and as late as Monday, will be signed at 12 PM local time. Meanwhile, the IDF is currently preparing to withdraw from 70 percent of the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to X after the agreement was reached, writing about the hostages, "With God's help we will bring them all home."
Netanyahu and Trump held a conversation after the signing, congratulating each other on the historic achievement of signing the agreement to release all the hostages. Netanyahu also invited Trump to speak at the Knesset in Jerusalem in honor of the achievement.
According to Israeli media, Trump will arrive to Israel on Sunday and will speak at the Knesset. An assessment by a source familiar with the details said Hamas will release the hostages ahead of Trump's arrival.
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"This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel. From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved," Netanyahu said about the reached agreement.
The Hostage Families Forum released a statement expressing "their deep gratitude to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and his team, for the leadership and determination that led to a historic breakthrough: an end to the war and a comprehensive agreement to return all the hostages."
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The IDF reported that it has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the ceasefire and withdrawal as per the agreement. "As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines in the coming hours," the military said.
Israeli officials confirmed to i24NEWS that an international task force led by Israel will be established in cooperation with the US,, Egypt, Qatar, the Red Cross, and other parties to locate the bodies of fallen hostages that will not be found in the coming days as part of the deal.
To catch up on the updates from Wednesday, CLICK HERE
For more stories and in-depth analysis on the Israel-Hamas war
Hamas chief in Gaza says group received U.S. guarantees that 'war has ended completely'
Hamas leader in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, says they received guarantees from the mediators and the U.S. administration, "and they all confirmed that the war has ended completely." In a recorded statement, Al-Hayya added that under the deal, Israel will release 250 security prisoners sentenced to life or prolonged sentences, as well as 1,700 prisoners from the Gaza Strip.
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Israeli Foreign Minister to Fox News: 'We don't have any intention to renew the war; we are committed to Trump's plan’
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Israeli official to i24NEWS: Ceasefire will start counting from the vote in the government; hostage release to conclude by Sunday evening
The operation to free the hostages is coined 'Return to their Borders,' PM Netanyahu says.
A U.S. official says the 72-hour clock to release the hostages will only begin once Israel withdraws to the phase 1 line of the agreement.
Jailed Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti will not be part of this release, Israeli government spokesperson says.
The bodies of slain Hamas military leaders Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar will not be released as part of Gaza ceasefire agreement, CNN reports.
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'The ceasefire is not yet in effect; it will only come into effect once the Israeli government votes to approve it, and that will occur this evening
Report: IDF tanks have been positioned on the coastal Rashid Road to prevent Gaza civilians from returning to northern Gaza
"We are worried, and we are filled with joy and hope — everything together," Sharon Kalderon, sister-in-law of returned hostage Ofer Kalderon, shares her sentiments with Robert Swift as Israel sits down to sign the agreement that will return the hostages by Monday:
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan to Al-Araby TV: The ceasefire will take effect after the approval of the Israeli government
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan says that the Gaza agreement is a final cessation of the war, and that is the main point of the deal. "The world must monitor Israel's behavior regarding the implementation of the agreement, Hamdan told Qatari Al-Araby TV. “The mediators provided guarantees that the occupation will not violate the agreement."
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The hostages' release is expected Sunday or Monday
As the 72-hour count will begin after the government vote tonight.
The world reacts to Trump's peace agreement
International congratulations pour in for the deal that will put an end to the two-year-long war and bring the hostages home: “This is a moment of deep relief, especially for the hostages.” Read more
Hostages' families rejoice over news of hostage deal
The Forum released a statement expressing "deep gratitude to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and his team, for the leadership and determination that led to a historic breakthrough." Read more
Israeli officials confirmed to i24NEWS that an international task force led by Israel will be established in cooperation with the US,, Egypt, Qatar, the Red Cross, and other parties to locate the bodies of fallen hostages that will not be found in the coming days as part of the deal.
https://x.com/i/web/status/1976107893083562450
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