Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of Gaza peace deal 

Donald Trump announces that all hostages will be released ‘very soon’ and Israel will withdraw troops to an agreed upon line

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip celebrate after the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan. Picture: Emilio Morenatti/AP

Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting in Gaza so that the remaining hostages there can be freed in the coming days in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, accepting elements of a plan put forward by the Trump administration.

“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,” US President Donald Trump wrote on social media. “All Parties will be treated fairly!”

Israel and Hamas separately confirmed the contours of their deal, which drew celebratory gatherings from hostage families in Tel Aviv and cautious optimism from some in Gaza.

With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home. 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…

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 8, 2025

Hamas intends to release all 20 living hostages in a matter of days, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza, people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss details of an agreement that has not fully been made public.

Uncertainty remains about some of the thornier aspects of Mr Trump’s proposal — such as whether and how Hamas will disarm, and who will govern Gaza — but the sides appear closer than they have been in several months to ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed most of Gaza and triggered other armed conflicts across the Middle East.

In Ireland, both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have welcomed the deal.

Micheál Martin is urging all sides to abide by the ceasefire, for all hostages to be released and for an immediate surge of aid to Palestine.

In a statement on Thursday, he said: "I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire agreement and hostage release deal in Gaza. 

"I urge all sides to fully abide by this ceasefire and for the release of all hostages, and an immediate surge of humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine. 

"I commend the diplomatic efforts by the US, and partners across the region and call on all sides to work towards a permanent and just peace. The war and the killing must stop."

Meanwhile, Simon Harris says Ireland stands ready to assist in every practical way.

He said: "We are now at a critical moment that can see an end to the war.

"This historic moment, if grasped by all, can finally end the unconscionable human suffering. It can stop the dreadful bombing, silence the guns, end the famine and genocide, and allow a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

"This is a significant moment after two horrific years. My thoughts today are with the people of Gaza, who have suffered so much, and with the hostages and their families."

The war, which began with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7 2023, has sparked worldwide protests and brought allegations of genocide that Israel denies.

Israel is more isolated than it has been in decades and Israelis have been bitterly divided over the failure to return the hostages.

Palestinians’ dream of an independent state, meanwhile, appears more remote than ever despite recent moves by major western countries to recognise one.

President Donald Trump announced a deal had been agreed (Evan Vucci/AP)

With the outlook bleak as the war’s two-year anniversary approached, the Trump administration put forward a plan last month that it hoped would result in a permanent end to the war and bring about a sustainable peace in the region.

Talks to hammer out a deal have been underway in Egypt since the start of the week, and by the end of the third day of negotiations, a breakthrough emerged.

“With God’s help we will bring them all home,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed on social media shortly after Mr Trump announced an agreement on the first phase of his plan was at hand. Mr Netanyahu said he would convene the government on Thursday to approve the deal.

For its part, Hamas called on Mr Trump and the mediators to ensure that Israel implements “without disavowal or delay” a deal that it said would require the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the entry of aid into the territory and the exchange of prisoners for hostages.

It was unclear from Mr Trump’s statement how much progress has been made on the most divisive aspects of his plan, such as Hamas’ potential disarmament — a demand Israel has insisted upon but the militant group has repeatedly refused.

Hamas has long said it will not release the remaining hostages without a lasting ceasefire and guarantees the war would not resume after they are freed.