Trump says hostages will be released 'Monday or Tuesday' as he plans travel to Middle East
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The initial agreement was confirmed by Israeli officials and Hamas, as well as mediator Qatar.
What we know
- DEAL ANNOUNCED: President Donald Trump announced last night that the “first phase” of the plan to end the conflict in Gaza had been agreed to. It includes a pause in fighting and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
- TRUMP TO TRAVEL TO EGYPT: Trump said he plans to travel to Egypt for an official signing of the ceasefire deal in opening remarks at his White House Cabinet meeting.
- ISRAELI GOVERNMENT APPROVAL: The Israeli government approved the historic deal to end the conflict in Gaza. Scenes from Gaza of devastation and hunger, as well as a famine declaration, have prompted outrage around the world and left Israel isolated diplomatically.
- HOSTAGES TO BE RELEASED: The White House said it expects hostages to be released Monday. Forty-eight hostages remain to be returned, 20 of whom Israel says it believes are still alive.
- TROOP DEPLOYMENT: The U.S. military is preparing options to deploy as many as 200 U.S. troops to Israel to support stabilization in Gaza and the flow of humanitarian aid and security assistance into the enclave, two U.S. officials familiar with the planning said.
- TOLL OF TWO-YEAR WAR: The agreement comes almost two years to the day after the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel that killed 1,200 people. Since then, more than 67,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
- 20-POINT PLAN: Read Trump’s plan for peace in Gaza. It was not immediately clear whether the parties had made any progress on thornier questions about the future of the conflict, including whether Hamas will demilitarize, as Trump has demanded, and eventual governance of the war-torn territory.
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Palestinians in Rafah praised Arab mediators and Trump for their efforts to end the war, with one man expressing relief that “this genocide against the Palestinian people has been halted.”
Another man said: "We are always responding moment by moment. Honestly, every year feels like 10 years in the history of the Palestinian people."
How the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal came together
Trump’s personal touch — both as a heavy hand and a gentle guide — played a pivotal role at key moments in the development of a Middle East peace deal that promises to bring an end to Israel’s two-year war in Gaza, current and former officials in the United States and other nations told NBC News.
Trump announced yesterday that the “first phase” of the plan to end the conflict in Gaza had been agreed to, with a pause in fighting and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Trump called it “a great deal” in a brief interview with NBC News this morning. “Everybody is happy,” he said.
The deal accelerated over several crucial moments — Israel’s strike on Qatar, discussions on the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly in New York City and Jared Kushner’s conversations with his father-in-law, these sources said.
Witkoff says Hamas had to accept peace deal
Special envoy Steve Witkoff said Hamas had to accept Trump's peace deal at the meeting of the Israeli government focused on "the approval of the hostages release framework," Netanyahu's office said on X.
"Here we are today because Hamas had to, they had to, do this deal. The pressure was on them. They were backed up. And you've got the bigger army. You were making inroads, and that's what led to this deal," Witkoff said in the video, seated at a table with Netanyahu and Jared Kushner.
U.S. said to be prepping to send 200 troops to Israel for Gaza support
The U.S. military is preparing options to deploy as many as 200 U.S. troops to Israel to support stabilization in Gaza and the flow of humanitarian aid and security assistance into the enclave, two U.S. officials familiar with the planning said.
The U.S. troops will stay in Israel, where they will support logistics, transportation, engineering and planning, the officials said.
“They will not be in Gaza. No U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza,” one of the officials said.
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire deal
The Israeli government has approved the historic deal to end the conflict in Gaza, after a brutal two-year war that has ravaged the Palestinian enclave and sparked a global outcry, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s said early Friday local time.
"The government has just now approved the framework for the release of all of the hostages — the living and the deceased," Netanyahu's office said in a statement on X.
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire should take effect within 24 hours.
The deal includes the release of all living and dead hostages. Furthermore, Israel is to release 250 life-sentence prisoners and 1,700 Palestinians detained after Oct. 7, 2023.
The agreement also stipulates that Hamas will lay down arms, Israeli troops will withdraw from the territory, and humanitarian aid will be delivered.
Palestinians in Gaza express relief and caution as ceasefire deal raises hopes of ending the war
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Eager for the bloodshed, displacement and destruction to stop, many Palestinians in Gaza were relieved to hear news that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a pause in their devastating two-year war. But it was mixed with pain from staggering losses and concern about what comes next.
“Once we heard the news about the truce, we felt happy,” said Ibrahim Shurrab from Khan Younis. “We ask God for the happiness to continue for us and for our Palestinian people and for us to return to our homes despite the pain and suffering,” he added, speaking in Muwasi, an area crowded with tents sheltering Palestinians who were forced to flee their homes.
Nevin Qudeeh said she felt the greatest sense of relief since the war erupted two years ago. She’ll be even happier, she added, when she can return home.
“We’re staying on the streets.”
Israel’s offensive in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas’ attack into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused vast destruction, displacement and suffering in Gaza. The war also brought famine to parts of the territory.
Republicans and Democrats praise Trump for brokering ceasefire deal
Both Republican and Democratic senators praised Trump for brokering the peace plan between Israel and Hamas.
"I applaud President Trump and the team ... for getting to this step,” Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told reporters.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said: “Right now, I am on tenterhooks, because the exciting prospect of this peace deal is monumental. Nothing like it in recent history, potentially, and there are a lot of people who deserve credit for it if it happens. President Trump is among them.”
Several Senate Republicans told NBC News that Trump should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work negotiating this ceasefire agreement, as well as the deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Just look at the rest of the conflicts he’s solved just in the first eight months, so there’s no doubt that he should get it,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said that if any other president had negotiated a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, he or she would receive the Nobel Peace Prize without question.
“No one else could have done that in the world but the president, and the idea that he was able to do it definitely deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. But, you know, there’s a lot of people that need to make those decisions that give them out for political reasons, not for the right reason,” Mullin said.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner tomorrow.
Israeli security minister threatens to 'bring down the government' unless Hamas is 'dismantled'
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, said on X that his party will “bring down the government” unless Hamas is “dismantled.”
“In conversations held between the Prime Minister and me in recent days, I made clear that under no circumstances will I be part of a government that allows Hamas’ rule in Gaza to continue,” Ben-Gvir wrote. “This is a clear red line. The Prime Minister has committed to me that this will be so.”
“I told the Prime Minister, and I say to you as well, citizens of Israel: I will not be party to any deception. If Hamas’ rule is not dismantled, or if we are merely told that it has been dismantled while in fact it continues to exist under another guise — Otzma Yehudit will bring down the government,” Ben-Gvir added, referring to his ultranationalist political party.
Slain hostage's mother reflects on pain for families
Rachel Goldberg, the mother of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, reflected on the stark difference between getting a loved one back alive from Hamas captivity or dead. “For 28 of the families, this is an extremely, profoundly sad day for the rest of their lives,” she said.
Obama says world should be 'encouraged and relieved' by deal
Former President Barack Obama said on X that the international community should be "encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is in sight."
Obama said the same goes for the fact that "hostages still being held will be reunited with their families" and "vital aid can start reaching those inside Gaza whose lives have been shattered."
"More than that, though, it now falls on Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the U.S. and the entire world community, to begin the hard task of rebuilding Gaza — and to commit to a process that, by recognizing the common humanity and basic rights of both peoples, can achieve a lasting peace," he added.
Trump says it may be difficult to find deceased hostages
Trump told reporters that while the administration knows where most of the hostages believed to be alive are, finding the bodies of deceased hostages could be a "bigger problem."
"Actually, the bodies are a bigger problem, because some of the bodies are going to be a little bit hard to find," Trump said. "The situation with the bodies, you know, they say 20, 28, some are going to be a little bit hard to find. But we're going to do the best we can."
Israeli officials told i24 News, a Tel Aviv-based news organization, that an international force will be created to find the "missing abductees."
Trump incorrectly claims his possible speech before the Knesset would be the first by a U.S. president
Trump incorrectly claimed at his Cabinet meeting that his possible speech before the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, would be the first by a U.S. president.
Trump said the Israelis have asked that he speak before the Knesset during his upcoming trip to Israel, possibly this weekend.
"It's the first time a president has ever done that. So that makes it very interesting, right? But, yeah, so I will. I will do it if they want me to. They have asked me," he said.
Except several sitting U.S. presidents have delivered remarks before the Knesset, including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, according to the body's official website.
Asked for comment, the White House criticized NBC News for trying to “poke ridiculous holes in the President’s comments.”
President George W. Bush smiles as Israeli Parliament Speaker Dalia Itzik and President Shimon Peres applaud following his address to Israel's parliament on May 15, 2008. Lior Mizrahi / Pool via AFP-Getty Images file
What to know about the Israel-Hamas truce and hostage release plan
President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire deal — but there are significant lingering questions about what the 20-point plan will mean for the future of the Gaza Strip.
“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 said in a post on Truth Social.
Read the full story here.
Trump says he's planning to travel to Egypt for an official signing of ceasefire deal
During Trump's opening remarks at his White House Cabinet meeting, the president said that he is planning to travel to Egypt for an official signing of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.
Trump said they're going to get the hostages back from Gaza "on Monday or Tuesday."
Trump speaks alongside Doug Burgum, Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet meeting at the White House today. Jim Watson / AFP - Getty Images
"I'm going to try and make a trip over. We're going to try and get over there, and we're working on the timing, the exact timing," he said. "We're going to go to Egypt, where we'll have a signing, an additional signing, and we've already had a signing."
Trump said yesterday that he was likely to travel to Israel on Sunday, though he suggested the timing was fluid.
Negotiators met this week in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, which has mediated the talks, which led to the announcement of the agreement yesterday.
Israeli Cabinet meeting is underway
The Israeli security Cabinet meeting has started, according to an Israeli official briefed on the matter via NBC's Omer Bekin. Following this, a wider government meeting will convene to decide on Trump’s ceasefire and hostage deal.
Shosh Bedrosian, a spokeswoman for Netanyahu’s office, previously told reporters that a ceasefire would take effect in Gaza “within 24 hours” of the Cabinet meeting.
Witkoff says he has landed in Israel
Special envoy Steve Witkoff told NBC News he has landed in Israel and plans to visit Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday night.
Since the Oct. 7 attacks, families of people taken captive by Hamas have encamped in a public plaza in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
U.N. pledges full support to Gaza ceasefire agreement and is ready to move on aid
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the U.N. and its partners can move now to scale up the delivery of food, water, medical assistance and shelter supplies.
But the U.N. chief said “to turn this ceasefire into real progress, we need more than the silencing of the guns.”
Guterres called for safe access for humanitarian workers, the removal of red tape and other impediments, the rebuilding of Gaza’s shattered infrastructure and funding to meet the immense needs.
The secretary-general told U.N. reporters in New York that the “glimmer of relief” for Israelis and Palestinians must be seized to establish a political path toward ending Israel’s occupation and achieving a two-state solution.
Israeli tanks block the beach road to Gaza City as displaced Palestinians walk on the coastal road near Wadi Gaza today. Abdel Kareem Hana / AP
Witkoff and Kushner meet with Egyptian President el-Sissi
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi met today with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to el-Sissi's spokesman.
The spokesman said el-Sissi welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement and said in a statement that Egypt "appreciates and supports President Trump’s efforts to end conflicts and bring peace to the Middle East and the entire world," while Witkoff and Kushner "reiterated the United States’ appreciation for the pivotal role played by Egypt in ending the war and restoring stability to the region."
El-Sissi said he hoped to receive President Trump in Egypt "to witness the signing of this historic agreement in a ceremony befitting the occasion."
Netanyahu shares AI-generated image of Trump winning Nobel Peace Prize
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has joined calls for President Trump to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure peace between Israel and Hamas by posting a seemingly AI-generated image on his office's official X account.
"Give @realDonaldTrump the Nobel Peace Prize — he deserves it!" the X post reads, alongside the AI image of Netanyahu hanging an oversized Nobel medal around Trump's neck. The two men are surrounded by applauding officials while confetti falls in the background.
Trump has suggested on numerous occasions that he deserves to win the prestigious prize, which will be awarded tomorrow in Norway.
'Nothing is going to stand in Trump's way,' expert says
Trump's determination will make it difficult for either Israel or Hamas to derail the deal to halt the war in Gaza and release the hostages, a Palestinian academic close to negotiators told NBC News.
"With President Trump being as intent as he is to follow through with this agreement and using this agreement as a stepping stone toward the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nothing is going to stand in Trump’s way. Nothing," said Bishara Bahbah, who is also a businessman and activist and is close to the hostage negotiators.
Bahbah noted that while Hamas has agreed to participate in the hostage and prisoner exchange under the agreement, it has not said it will disarm and disband, a key stipulation of Trump’s proposal. "I think the disarmament issue has been deferred for the next phase and the negotiations could begin probably next week on those," he said.
He added that he believed the possibility of some of the "big names," or more well-known Palestinian figures imprisoned by Israel, being released as part of the plan "might be deferred to the next phase," adding: "The red line for Israel is going to be those who have planned and executed Oct. 7."
Marwan Barghouti not among Palestinain prisoners to be released, Israel says
Prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti, whose supporters dub the “Palestinian Nelson Mandela,” will not be released as part of a ceasefire agreement, Israel said today.
"At this point in time he will not be part of this release," government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told reporters when asked about Barghouti's status.
Barghouti has spent more than 20 years in prison and is serving five life sentences after his 2004 conviction for the murder of four Israelis and a Greek Orthodox monk during the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising.
He has consistently polled higher than any other leader among Palestinians as a potential unity candidate.
Marwan Barghouti is led by Israeli police in 2003 after appearing before a Tel Aviv court. Tal Cohen / AFP via Getty Images file
Israel says ceasefire to take effect 'within 24 hours' of Cabinet meeting
Israeli Prime Minister's Office spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told reporters that a ceasefire would take effect in Gaza "within 24 hours" of a Cabinet meeting due to take place at 5 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET).
Following that 24-hour period, a 72-hour window would open in which Hamas would release the remaining hostages.
Bedrosian said the final draft of phase one of the plan was signed in Egypt this morning.
Bedrosian said that Netanyahu had a "warm conversation" with Trump this morning in which both leaders congratulated each other on a "historic achievement."
Crowds celebrate ceasefire agreement in Hostages Square
Small but jubilant crowds, many carrying Israeli and American flags, gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square this morning to celebrate the news that a ceasefire agreement had been reached. Crowds sang and danced the hora, a celebratory Jewish folk dance.
Einav Zangauker, center, the mother of Israeli captive Matan Zangauker, celebrates at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv today. Saeed Qaq / Anadolu via Getty Images
Israelis celebrate in Hostages Square today. Chris McGrath / Getty Images
People embrace in Hostages Square today. Maya Levin / AFP via Getty Images
Ila Galili, a self-described “artivist” held a large sign saying “We Love Trump” while dressed in an American flag outfit with tape covering her mouth. She said she had put a zipper on her mouth on the day the war broke out and would wear it until all the hostages come back.
Over the past two years, people who gathered in Hostages Square had worn numbers taped to their chest to show how many days it had been since the hostages were taken. Today, they have replaced those taped numbers with the phrase “they’re coming back” written in Hebrew.
As the crowds celebrated, the large clock showing the minutes and seconds since the hostages were taken on Oct. 7 continued to tick.
Analysis: What happens next with Israel and Hamas truce agreement?
Trump announced last night that the first phase of the plan to end the war in Gaza had been agreed to by Israel and Hamas, but what happens next and how will Gaza rebuild?
Relief and celebrations in Gaza and Israel as deal moves forward
In Egypt this morning, Israel and Hamas committed to Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.
Under the deal, Hamas must release all the hostages it is still holding and Israeli troops agree to pull back from Gaza in stages, and free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli media: International force will help find missing hostages
An international force tasked with finding missing hostages in the Gaza Strip will be established as part of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, Israeli broadcaster i24 reported, citing Israeli officials.
Nearly 250 people were abducted during the Hamas-led terrorist attack Oct. 7, 2023. Of the 48 hostages yet to be released, 20 are believed to be alive.
Middle East leaders welcome deal, thanking Trump
Countries across the Middle East have welcomed the deal to implement the first phase of Trump's agreement, thanking the president for his leading role in pushing negotiations forward.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi welcomed the agreement, saying the world was witnessing “a historic moment that embodies the triumph of the will for peace over the logic of war," Reuters reported.
The Saudi Foreign Affairs Ministry praised the "effective role of His Excellency U.S. President Donald Trump and the mediation efforts made by our brothers in the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Turkey to reach this agreement."
The Jordanian Foreign Affairs Ministry also emphasized the country's "appreciation for the efforts" of Trump and "his decisive role in reaching the agreement." Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi also stressed the need for concerted efforts to bring in sufficient aid into Gaza.
The United Arab Emirates' Foreign Affairs Ministry also sought to emphasize the "prominent and important role" Trump played in "supporting this process."
Blasts seen and heard in Gaza this morning
While approval of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas appears imminent, explosions have been seen and heard in southern Gaza this morning.
Smoke rises from southern Gaza following Israeli airstrikes, in Deir al-Balah today. Ali Jadallah / Anadolu via Getty Images
Video shot by Reuters from southern Israel showed multiple plumes of smoke rising over Gaza between 6:28 a.m. and 7:11 a.m. local time. Associated Press video also showed three explosions in Wadi Gaza in central Gaza.
Earlier this morning, an Israeli military spokesman has warned that the area north of Wadi Gaza was "still considered a dangerous combat zone."
Hamas senior leader welcomes deal
Hamas senior leader Osama Hamdan has said he expects the ceasefire in Gaza will come into effect after the Israeli government approves the deal, amid confusion around when exactly the truce will come into place.
Speaking on Al-Araby TV, a Qatari television network, Hamdan said the first phase of the deal would meet the important demand of the Palestinian people, to stop Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip.
He said Hamas had demanded a halt to drone operations in the Gaza Strip's airspace to implement the handover process of hostages.
Israeli opposition leader says Trump should receive Nobel Peace Prize
Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid thanked Trump today for "the return of the hostages, for the peace he has brought to the region" and called on the Nobel Committee to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, a long-standing ambition for Trump.
In a video statement posted on X, Lapid also thanked Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Marco Rubio and Tony Blair for their efforts.
Lapid also called on Trump to visit Israel and speak in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square. Israelis had gathered in the square early today and could be heard in a video chanting "Nobel prize to Trump."
WHO ready to scale up to meet 'dire' health needs across Gaza
The World Health Organization is ready to scale up to meet "dire health needs" across Gaza, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said in a statement.
He welcomed the agreement as a "big step towards lasting peace."
A delegation from the World Health Organization arrives at al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, in Gaza City yesterday. Hamza Z. H. Qraiqea / Anadolu via Getty Images
"WHO stands ready to scale up its work to meet the dire health needs of patients across Gaza, and to support rehabilitation of the destroyed health system," he said, adding: "The best medicine is peace."
The moment a deal became clear
Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Trump a handwritten note during his roundtable event with influencers yesterday afternoon, which an Associated Press photographer captured as saying, “We are very close to a deal in the Middle East.”
"Need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first,” it read.
"I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East, and they’re going to need me pretty quickly," Trump told the room.
Rubio writes a note before handing it to Trump during a roundtable meeting at the White House yesterday. Evan Vucci / AP
A Truth Social post from Trump that said Israel and Hamas had "both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan" appeared hours later, in advance of the agreement being signed. Key details of the plan are still unclear.
Uncertainty on when deal will come into effect
The deal on the first stage of Trump's plan for ending the war in Gaza and seeing hostages released has been formally agreed, Egyptian state-affiliated TV al-Qahera news reported.
It is not clear when exactly the first stage will come into effect on the ground in Gaza, however.
The Egyptian state outlet said the first stage of the plan had already gone into effect, Reuters reported - but Israel's prime minister has said the deal needs to be approved by Israel's government, making it unclear when the ceasefire will actually come into effect.
As of this morning, smoke could still be seen rising over Gaza.
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel this morning. Ariel Schalit / AP
Smoke rises from Israeli strikes in Gaza this morning as seen from the Israeli city of Sderot. Mostafa Alkharouf / Anadolu via Getty Images
Photos: Celebrations in Gaza
Palestinians celebrated in Gaza today, following Trump’s announcement that the first phase of the plan to end the conflict had been signed.
Palestinians celebrate the news in Khan Younis early Thursday morning. AFP via Getty Images
Palestinians celebrate today outside Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Abdel Kareem Hana / AP
Children cheer today in Deir al-Balah. Abdel Kareem Hana / AP
Crowds celebrate in Khan Younis today. Jehad Alshrafi / AP
A day of 'extreme hope,' says family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin
The parents of Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose body was recovered from Gaza last year after he was taken hostage during the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, have welcomed news of a deal to end the war and return the remaining hostages.
"We are all so hopeful and filled with prayer and anticipation and we are just saying thank you," Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh Goldberg-Polin's mother said in a video alongside her husband, Jon Polin, in a video statement published on Instagram.
Jon Polin specifically thanked Trump for his role in "bringing all of the right parties to the table with the right intentions."
Wearing pieces of tape on their chests, emblazoned with the numbers "734," representing the number of days that they have waited for an end to the war, Rachel Goldberg-Polin said she looked forward to being able to finally remove the symbolic stickers.
"We'll finally get to take off our stickers and use our tape as tape," she said in the video, with the couple having been outspoken advocates for an end to war in Gaza.
Trump tells Israeli hostage families their loved ones ‘are all coming back’
Family members of Israeli hostages held in Gaza spoke with President Trump who told them over the phone that their loved ones would be returning on Monday. The call came after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of Trump’s plan for Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal that would see the release of all remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Israeli military warns northern Gaza is still a 'dangerous combat zone'
Despite the news of a ceasefire agreement, an Israeli military spokesman warned Gaza residents today that "the area north of Wadi Gaza is still considered a dangerous combat zone."
Wadi Gaza is a river valley that divides the northern and southern ends of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli soldiers move near the Gaza border today. Ariel Schalit / AP
In a post on X, Avichay Adraee, the head of the Israel Defense Forces's Arab media division, also said returning to Gaza City would be "extremely dangerous" and advised against returning north or approaching areas where the IDF is operating until official instructions are issued.
Israeli government to convene today to discuss plan
The Israeli government will meet today at 5 p.m. local time, or 10 a.m. ET, to vote on whether to approve the deal after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the plan to end the war in Gaza and see hostages held there released, an Israeli official briefed on the matter told NBC News.
Netanyahu had previously said that the vote on the deal was expected to take place today.
Already, the agreement has gained some opposition, with far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich saying he planned to oppose the agreement, citing the plan to release Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
'A moment of profound relief': World leaders welcome deal
Leaders from around the world have welcomed news of the deal to end the war in Gaza and see hostages held in the enclave released, with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling it a "moment of profound relief."
Starmer said that a sense of relief would be "felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza." He said the U.K. would support the "crucial" next steps and the next stage of talks to help ensure the full implementation of the plan.
Noting the deal marks a "significant breakthrough," European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the agreement was a "major diplomatic accomplishment and a real chance to end a devastating war and release all the hostages."
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the agreement on the first phase of Trump's plan, calling it a "reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu." He added: "We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace."
In Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the agreement marked a "crucial step toward de-escalation and the realization of a two-state solution." He thanked the "tireless efforts" of mediating countries, including the U.S., Qatar, Egypt and Turkey and called upon all parties to "faithfully and diligently" implement the deal.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomes deal
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcement today in a statement released via the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
Abbas expressed hope that the deal would be "a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution" that would establish an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Palestinian Authority partially administers the West Bank, while rival group Hamas has controlled Gaza.
Abbas thanked Trump and mediators for their efforts and affirmed his readiness to work " in order to achieve stability and a lasting and just peace in accordance with international law."
Israeli far-right minister says he will not vote for deal
Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has expressed "mixed emotions" in response to early news of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, saying he will not vote in favor of the deal.
Israeli far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich. Menahem Kahana / AFP via Getty Images file
Calling it a "complex morning," in a post on X, Smotrich said he felt "immense joy" at the expected return of the hostages held in Gaza, as well as for "the privilege of being among the leaders of the resistance to partial deals that would have left at least half of them languishing in enemy tunnels, and the demand to continue the war until its goals were fully realized."
But he said he also felt "immense fear" at the prospect of Palestinian prisoners being released from Israeli prisons under the deal. As a result, he said he would not "be able to join in the short-sighted celebrations and vote in favor of the deal."
Netanyahu had said he would be convening his government to approve the agreement "and bring all our dear hostages home."
Hostage families pen letter asking to meet with Trump to thank him
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of hostages held in Gaza, has published a letter addressed to Trump thanking the president for his efforts to secure a deal to end the war in Gaza and see those held captive in the enclave for two years returned.
"On behalf of the families of the hostages who endured two years of unimaginable darkness in Hamas captivity, we write to express our deepest gratitude for securing the historic deal that brought our loved ones home and ended this war," the letter said. "You have given us back what we thought we had lost forever."
People celebrate the announcement at "Hostages Square" in Tel Aviv this morning. Emilio Morenatti / AP
The group said that hostage families would be "deeply honored" if the president met with them during his next visit to Israel, with the president saying he could soon visit the Middle East.
"Whether an address in the square, a place that has become a symbol of hope and the resilience of the human spirit, a private visit with the families, or any gathering that fits your schedule, we will do whatever is necessary to make it possible," the letter states. "We simply need the opportunity to look you in the eye and express what words alone cannot fully convey: that you gave us back our families, and with them, our hope."
Photos: Hostages' relatives react to deal progress
Relatives and supporters of the Israeli hostages celebrated early this morning in "Hostages Square" in Tel Aviv, after the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a plan to end the war.
IDF prepares to move to 'adjusted deployment lines'
The Israeli military said it has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the ceasefire deal.
It said in a statement that preparations and a "combat protocol" were underway to transition to "adjusted deployment lines soon."
The IDF said that troops would continue to be deployed in the area until then and were prepared for any operational developments.
Read Trump’s plan for peace in Gaza
Last month, Trump unveiled a 20-point comprehensive peace proposal to end the war in Gaza.
Palestinians follow the peace plan news in a tent outside Al-Aqsa Hospital, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, early this morning. Abdel Kareem Hana / AP
The key components of the proposal include the release of all living and dead hostages in Gaza, a requirement for Hamas to lay down its arms, a withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the installation of a civilian governing authority for Palestinians.
Tonight, Trump announced that both Hamas and Israel had signed off on the first phase of the deal. But it was not immediately clear whether the parties had made any progress on thornier questions about the future of the conflict, including whether Hamas will demilitarize, as Trump has demanded, and eventual governance of the war-torn territory.
Hamas official says Palestinian prisoner list handed over
A senior Hamas official said the group has handed over a list of Palestinian prisoners who will be released as part of the ceasefire deal.
Zaher Jabarin, who oversees Palestinian prisoners’ affairs, said in a statement that the list was prepared in accordance with “the criteria agreed upon in the agreement.”
He said the group is still “awaiting final agreement on the names,” and that they will be announced “once the relevant procedures and understandings are completed.”
Trump suggests tariffs played a role in peace deal
Trump said during a Fox News interview tonight that his tariffs may have played a role in getting Israel and Hamas to sign off on the first phase of a peace deal.
"I think we shocked everybody by a lot with the tariffs and all of that. But you know, having the ability to deal with trade, having the ability to use tariffs to help me make a point, the tariffs have brought peace to the world," Trump told host Sean Hannity during a phone interview.
The legality of many of Trump's tariffs, which were unilaterally imposed without congressional approval under a law reserved for use in times of emergency, has been challenged. The Supreme Court last month said it would rule on the legality.
Trump touted using "the power of tariffs to stop wars," and said he believed his administration had acted appropriately in enacting duties.
"I’ve saved millions of lives using tariffs. So if for any reason the court ruled against, and you know on the legal merits, we should be absolutely entitled," Trump said.
Israeli president gives 'full support' to peace agreement
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that he gave the peace agreement his “full support” in a message posted on X on Thursday morning local time.
“This agreement will bring moments of indescribable relief to the dear families who have not slept for 733 days,” he wrote. “This agreement offers a chance to mend, to heal, and to open a new horizon of hope for our region.”
Herzog thanked Netanyahu and Trump, who, he wrote, deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.
IDF says it has instructed all forces to 'be ready for any scenario'
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement tonight that it welcomed the signing of the first phase of the peace plan and the anticipated return of hostages.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF's chief of staff, "instructed all forces, both on the front lines and in the rear areas, to prepare strong defenses and be ready for any scenario," the statement said.
"At the same time, the Chief of the General Staff instructed to prepare to lead the operation for the hostages’ return, which is expected to be conducted with sensitivity and professionalism," it added.
U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle congratulate Trump on Israel-Hamas announcement
Democrats and Republicans lauded Trump’s announcement of the first phase of a peace plan to end the war in Gaza, with some Republican senators saying he is deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said on X: “I congratulate @POTUS on this historic peace plan that releases all the hostages. Now, enduring peace in the region is possible. Our parties are different but we have a shared ironclad commitment to Israel and its people.”
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said the agreement was encouraging.
“I appreciate President Trump’s work to bring Israel and Hamas to the table and am encouraged that an agreement has been made to release the remaining hostages taken on October 7 and begin a phased IDF withdrawal from Gaza. More work lies ahead, but this is very good news,” Kaine said on X.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., posted on X: “Nobody has worked harder for peace and stability in the Middle East than President Trump. I remain skeptical of Hamas’s motivations, but I am optimistic that the first steps announced today bring the region closer to peace than at any point in the last two years. It’s past time to return ALL of the hostages.”
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the chair of the Armed Services Committee, thanked Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among others. “After two years of bloodshed that started with the horrific October 7th attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, the people in the region may finally have hope for a lasting peace. I commend the president, Secretary Rubio, and all those who worked diligently to bring about a serious peace deal,” he said in a statement.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said: “After two years of horrific violence and unimaginable loss, we have an agreement for peace in the Middle East. President Trump delivered on his promise to bring the hostages home and peace & prosperity to the region.”
“@POTUS for the Nobel Peace Prize!” she added.
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told NBC News that he would be “supportive” of Trump’s receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, as well.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., expressed “cautious optimism” about phase one of the deal.
“Let’s hope it’s real,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, said the ceasefire and hostage agreement brings a “huge sigh of relief to the hostage families, to all of Israel, and to Palestinians who have suffered for so long in this horrific humanitarian catastrophe.”
“The work is not over, but any step to end this nightmare is one that should be celebrated and carefully implemented and followed through on,” said Schumer, D-N.Y.
He did not mention Trump in his 245-word statement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., praised Trump, and took a dig at congressional Democrats in the process.
“What stands out tonight is the stunning contrast of what we’re seeing — this history is being made. Here’s President Trump showing peace through strength, using his power and position to bring peace to the Middle East,” Johnson said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
“I mean, a truly massive, historic foreign policy achievement," he said, later adding, "And here’s the Democrats on Capitol Hill acting like a bunch of clowns.”
Hamas should release 20 remaining hostages as part of peace deal
The first phase of the peace deal between Israel and Hamas should lead Hamas to release the 20 remaining living hostages it is still holding, though Hamas has said it will take more time to recover the remains of the hostages who died while in captivity.
If Hamas carries out its part of the deal, it will create momentum.
Father of hostage Itay Chen: ‘We have not been provided any sign of life’
Ruby Chen, father of hostage Itay Chen, a U.S.-Israeli dual citizen, said on "Stay Tuned NOW" that Hamas has not acknowledged his son’s physical status, calling it “psychological warfare.”
Itay Chen, who grew up primarily in Tel Aviv, was serving as part of the Israel Defense Forces when he was taken hostage.
Ruby Chen said the family has not been “provided any sign of life” regarding his son.
With the news of a peace plan, Chen said, "it's mixed emotions of excitement, anticipation, but also anxiety because we don't know Itay is accounted for and what his status is."
Deal announced 2 years after surprise attack on Israel
The reported agreement to a deal that could free hostages held by Hamas comes almost two years to the day after Hamas terrorists led a shocking surprise attack on Israel that targeted civilians.
The Oct. 7, 2023, attacks launched from Gaza killed around 1,200 people. The attacks included gunmen who used gliders to enter Israel.
Gunmen attacked the Nova Music Festival and Kibbutz Be’eri, among other targets. The attackers took about 250 hostages in all.
In response, Israel launched a war it said was aimed at the destruction of Hamas. The two-year conflict has led to devastation in Gaza and a humanitarian crisis.
Over 67,000 people have been killed, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. Hamas controls the government in the enclave.
What the Israel-Hamas peace deal could mean for the region
Col. Steve Warren, former principal deputy chief of public affairs at the Pentagon, speaks with NBC News’ Yasmin Vossoughian about what the agreement to the first phase of the peace deal means and what the next steps of this peace process might look like.
"If indeed this deal can hold, it'll bring in an era of peace that we haven't seen now in the Middle East for several years, ever since that terrible attack on October 7th," Warren said.
White House official says deal will head to Israeli cabinet tomorrow
A senior White House official told NBC News that the Israeli Cabinet will vote on the Israel-Hamas peace deal tomorrow.
Once the Cabinet approves the deal, "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. Our assessment is that hostages will begin getting released on Monday," the official added.
Hostages and Missing Families Forum: 'Mix of excitement, anticipation, and concern'
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said families were greeting the news of the possible release of their loved ones "with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and concern."
"The Hostages Families Forum welcomes the signing of this agreement, designed to bring all the hostages home — the living for rehabilitation with their families, and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland," the group said in a statement.
It said 48 hostages remain to be returned. Israel has said it believes 20 are still alive.
"The hostage families wish to express their profound gratitude to President Trump and his team for the leadership and determination that led to this historic breakthrough: an end to the war and a comprehensive agreement to return all the hostages," the families forum said.
"The Israeli government must convene immediately to approve the agreement. Any delay could exact a heavy toll on the hostages and soldiers," it said.
Secretary-General António Guterres says U.N. 'will support the full implementation of the agreement'
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement tonight that the "stakes have never been higher" after the announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a peace deal.
"I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by President Donald J. Trump. I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough," Guterres said.
"The United Nations will support the full implementation of the agreement and will scale up the delivery of sustained and principled humanitarian relief, and we will advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza," he added.
The statement also urged the parties to commit to "achieving a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security."
Netanyahu has spoken with Trump, PM’s office says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken with Trump, and he invited Trump to address the Knesset, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
“The two held a very moving and warm conversation, and congratulated each other on the historic achievement of signing the agreement to release all the hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said.
“The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for all his efforts and his global leadership, and President Trump congratulated the Prime Minister for his determined leadership and the actions he led,” the statement says.
Mid-meeting, Rubio passed an urgent note to Trump about deal
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a note to Trump during a roundtable at the White House this afternoon that indicated a peace deal between Israel and Hamas was "very close."
The note, captured by an Associated Press photographer, appears to say: “very close. I need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”
Rubio passed the note while Trump was taking questions at a roundtable this afternoon about antifa. Rubio walked over to take the seat of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to pass the note, which Trump appeared to read before he exchanged a nod with Rubio.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio writes a note before handing it to President Trump, at the White House yesterday. Evan Vucci / AP
Rubio then walked over to whisper something to Trump, and shortly after, Trump told reporters at the roundtable that a peace deal was imminent.
"Yeah, I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East, and they’re going to need me pretty quickly, so I will take a couple of more questions," he said.
Trump posts video of families of hostages
Trump today posted a video of family members of hostages held by Hamas expressing gratitude after the emergence of news of an agreement to the first phase of a deal that is said to include the release of hostages.
"Today, President Trump has done it: He announced just now that our loved ones, the hostages, are coming home,” one of them said in the video.
The group stood in front of a sign with photographs that read “2 years in captivity” and “we can bring them home now.”
Trump may go to Middle East after routine check-up
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump will meet with “the troops” at Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday and then “stop by for his routine yearly check up.”
Trump already underwent what was described as his annual physical examination at the military hospital on April 11. A memo released by White House physician Sean Barbabella two days later said he was in “excellent health” with “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function.”
Leavitt’s statement said that, after the exam on Friday, Trump will “return to the White House” and is “considering going to the Middle East shortly thereafter.”
Israeli government will ratify agreement tomorrow, Netanyahu says
Netanyahu said that his government would gather tomorrow to ratify the peace agreement and "bring all of our precious hostages home."
He expressed his thanks for IDF soldiers and security forces, as well as the U.S. president.
"I thank President Trump and his team from the bottom of my heart for their commitment to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages."
Hamas says Trump, other states should ensure Israel implements ceasefire
Hamas said today that Trump and guarantor states should ensure that the terms of the ceasefire are adhered to.
“We highly appreciate the efforts of our mediating brothers in Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. We also value the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, who seeks to bring about a definitive end to the war and a complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said.
“We call on President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and various Arab, Islamic, and international parties to compel the occupation government to fully implement the agreement’s requirements and not allow it to evade or delay the implementation of what has been agreed upon,” Hamas said.
Hamas, a terrorist organization, calls Israel an occupation government. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but it conducted massive airstrikes on Gaza and entered the territory in the war it declared against Hamas following the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
‘With God’s help we will bring them all home,’ Netanyahu says after deal announced
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope tonight that all hostages will be returned after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a peace deal.
“With God’s help we will bring them all home,” Netanyahu said.
Trump says 'first phase' of Gaza peace plan has been signed
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social today that the “first phase” of the peace plan to end the conflict in Gaza had been signed.
“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, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace," the post said. "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. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”.
Trump had said earlier that he may travel to the Middle East at the end of the week but did not specifically say he would be going to Egypt, where peace talks are being held.
