Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of the US-led Gaza peace plan, which will allow for the return of all hostages, US President Donald Trump has announced.
"I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our peace plan," he wrote in a post on Truth Social.
"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.
"All Parties will be treated fairly!"
In the first phase of the deal, Hamas would release 20 living hostages on Saturday or Sunday local time, a Palestinian source has told AFP.
A spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry confirmed an agreement "on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms" had been reached.
The deal would "lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid," Majed Al Ansari wrote on social media.
"The details will be announced later."
Asked about the next phases of the plan, Mr Trump said in an interview with Fox News it would see "Gaza being rebuilt".
United Nations secretary-general António Guterres welcomed the announcement, labelling it a "desperately needed" breakthrough.
"I urge all concerned to abide fully by the terms of the agreement," he said, adding the UN would support "the full implementation".
"Immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies and essential commercial materials into Gaza must be ensured.
"The suffering must end."
Hamas released a statement calling on Donald Trump and all other parties to compel Israel to fully implement its obligations.
"We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and throughout our homeland and the diaspora, who have demonstrated unparalleled honor, courage, and heroism — confronting the fascist occupation projects that targeted them and their national rights," Hamas said.
"These sacrifices and steadfast positions have thwarted the Israeli occupation's schemes of subjugation and displacement."
Announcement follows days of Egypt peace negotiations
The announcement comes after days of negotiations in Egypt to hash out a plan for peace between Israel and Hamas.
Mr Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff met with representatives from both sides.
Also present was Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
This week marked the two-year anniversary of the war in Gaza, which began when the militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people, many of them civilians, on October 7, 2023.
During the attack, Hamas also kidnapped about 250 Israelis and held them hostage in Gaza. There are still 48 captives in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, Gazan health authorities say, and devastated the enclave.
After Mr Trump's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement was a "great day for Israel".
"I will convene the government tomorrow to ratify the agreement and bring all of our precious hostages home," he said in a statement.
"I thank the heroic IDF soldiers and all security forces whose courage and sacrifice have allowed us to reach this day.
"I thank President Trump and his team from the bottom of my heart for their commitment to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages."
Celebrations in Tel Aviv, Khan Younis as news breaks
The announcement was met by celebrations both in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square and in the streets of Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza.
Israeli woman Einav Zangauker's son, Matan Zangauker, has been held hostage since the conflict erupted.
Joined by her daughter in Tel Aviv, she thanked "the people of Israel, the soldiers" and Mr Trump.
Palestinian Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo told Reuters: "Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing.
"I am not the only one happy, all of the Gaza Strip is happy, all the Arab people, all of the world is happy with the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed.
"Thank you and all the love to those who stood with us."
What we know about the peace plan
An Israeli government spokesperson told Reuters its hostages would begin being released on Saturday.
They did not say whether the government expected all 48 remaining hostages to be released at once.
Hamas said the first phase of the deal included an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, along with the hostage-prisoner exchange.
The list of Palestinians Hamas wants freed was expected to include some of the most prominent prisoners ever jailed by Israel, whose release had been off limits in previous ceasefires.
Crucial details, including the timing, post-war administration for the Gaza Strip and the fate of Hamas have yet to be detailed.
Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter told CNN the living hostages held by Hamas would be released on Sunday or Monday.
Once the Israeli cabinet meets to approve the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released, according to Mr Leiter, a 72-hour clock will begin.
"We hope it leads to a complete cessation of hostilities and a rebuilding of Gaza for the sake of the Gazans and for the sake of Israel," he said.
Mr Trump said during a Fox News interview Hamas would begin releasing hostages "probably" on Monday.
In his statement, Mr Guterres also urged stakeholders to use the agreement to "establish a credible political path" towards Palestinian self-determination.
"I urge all stakeholders to seize this momentous opportunity to … [recognise] the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, leading to a two-state solution to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security," he said.
"The stakes have never been higher."
UN General Assembly (UNGA) leader Annalena Baerbock said the announcement offered a "ray of hope after more than 700 days of death, destruction and despair".
She added many world leaders at a recent UNGA meeting stressed permanent ceasefire could open a path to peace.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the announcement, urging all parties to commit to the plan.
"After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much-needed step towards peace," he said in a statement.
"Australia has consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, return of the hostages, and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza."
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the agreement should "inspire hope in Australia and across the world".
"All fair-minded Australians will welcome this announcement," she said.
"We must remain hopeful today's announcement will be borne out over the coming days."
