US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas agreed during indirect talks held in Egypt this week to implement the first phase of his peace plan for the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 14 reported that the ceasefire in Gaza will come into effect at 12 noon today.

Approval of All Plan Provisions

Qatar, which alongside Egypt, the United States, and Turkey mediated between Israel and Hamas, announced that both parties agreed “on all the provisions and mechanisms for implementing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, leading to the end of the war, the release of Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid.”

Trump: “A Great Day for the World”

President Trump told Reuters that the Gaza agreement, which entails a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages and Israel withdrawing its forces to the agreed line, represents the first steps toward a strong, lasting, and eternal peace.

The agreement reached in Egypt represents “a great day for the world.” Trump said in a brief phone call to Reuters, “The whole world came together on this agreement, Israel, every country came together. It was a great day.” He added, “This is a great day for the world. It’s a wonderful day, a wonderful day for everyone.”

What Does the Agreement Include?

According to a Hamas leader, the movement will release 20 living hostages at once in exchange for Israel releasing more than two thousand Palestinian detainees, including 250 serving life sentences and 1700 arrested since the war began two years ago.

A Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations told AFP that the exchange should take place within 72 hours of the agreement’s implementation, noting that “the agreement was approved by the Palestinian factions.” The source added that the agreement, to be officially signed in Egypt on Thursday at 09:00 GMT, also includes the entry of at least 400 aid trucks daily into Gaza “during the first five days after the ceasefire.” The source explained that this aid “will be increased in the coming days.” The agreement also stipulates the return of displaced people from the southern Gaza Strip to Gaza City (center) and northern Gaza immediately upon implementation, according to the same source. Hamas called on Trump in a statement to force Israel to fully implement the agreement and not allow it to renege or delay applying what was agreed upon.

What Are the Next Steps for the Agreement?

According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majid Al-Ansari, both sides agreed on all provisions and mechanisms for implementing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, leading to the end of the war, the release of Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid, with details to be announced later. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he will chair a government meeting on Thursday to approve the agreement. A Hamas leader said negotiations on implementing the second phase of Trump’s plan will begin as soon as the first phase is implemented. Trump said he believes all hostages, including the deceased, will return by Monday.

What Does Trump’s Plan Entail?

Trump’s 20-point plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages held in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and Israel’s gradual withdrawal from the Strip.