Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): In a major diplomatic announcement early Thursday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Israel and Hamas have both signed the first phase of a new peace initiative aimed at de-escalating one of the world’s longest-running conflicts.
Posting on his social media platform, Trump confirmed that the preliminary agreement includes the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from specified areas, signaling a move toward establishing long-term stability in the region.
“This is a great day,” Trump wrote, celebrating what he described as a “strong, durable, and everlasting peace” initiative. He emphasized that the deal ensures fair treatment for all parties involved and thanked key mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for helping bring both sides to the table.
The negotiations, kept largely confidential until now, mark the first time in years that both sides have committed to a jointly agreed framework under the facilitation of multiple regional players. While the broader terms of the deal remain to be finalized, the agreement is being described by sources close to the talks as a potential turning point.
The announcement, made at 4:21 a.m. local time, has already begun to draw global attention. Trump, who referred to the development as “historic” and “unprecedented,” called on the world to recognize the significance of this diplomatic breakthrough.
No immediate response has yet come from Israeli or Palestinian leadership, though statements are expected later in the day. Analysts note that while many similar efforts have stalled in the past, this move—if followed through—could lay the groundwork for more structured negotiations on a lasting resolution.
The international community is now watching closely to see whether the commitments made under this first phase will hold in practice, and whether this momentum can carry forward into deeper and more comprehensive peace efforts.
