The Israeli government spokeswoman said in a press conference: “We commend US President Donald Trump for forcing Hamas to agree to this deal,” confirming that the release of prisoners will begin early tomorrow, Monday, in one batch. She added that “the Palestinian detainees will be released as soon as all the hostages are received, and we expect them to be on buses once our hostages cross the border,” affirming Israel’s readiness to receive the bodies of the deceased hostages, totaling 28, after the release of the living hostages.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that both Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of the peace plan he proposed. Trump said in a post on the “Truth Social” platform: “This means that all hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw its forces to an agreed line, as the first steps towards achieving strong, lasting, and eternal peace. All parties will be treated fairly.”
For its part, Hamas announced reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which includes the entry of aid and the exchange of detainees, calling on US President Donald Trump and the guarantor countries of the agreement, in addition to Arab, Islamic, and international countries, to compel Israel to fully implement the agreement’s commitments.
Egypt is hosting the Sharm El Sheikh negotiations in a serious attempt to put all necessary success conditions in place to accomplish the task and move forward with the American plan. The negotiations witnessed high-level participation from the mediating countries, led by Egyptian General Intelligence Director Major General Hassan Rashad, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin, in addition to Israeli delegation head Ron Dermer, Minister of Strategic Affairs, and American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
These developments come days after Hamas announced its acceptance of the principle, and several Western and Arab capitals confirmed their support for Trump’s efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement.
