Trump Announces Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Hostage Release Deal

Ceasefire Agreement Reached

• 🤝 President Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
• 🕊️ This deal paves the way for the release of 20 living hostages and provides relief for nearly 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
• 📜 The agreement marks the "first Phase" of a peace plan initiated by Trump, aiming to halt the conflict that began with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Hostage Release and Troop Withdrawal

• 🔑 All hostages are expected to be released soon, and Israel will withdraw its troops to an agreed-upon line as initial steps toward a lasting peace.
• 🇺🇸 Trump expressed gratitude to the mediators, calling the event "Historic and Unprecedented."

Announcement and Negotiations

• 📱 Trump posted the announcement on his social media site, Truth Social, after receiving a note from Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicating they were close to a deal.
• 📞 The President reportedly drafted the post himself and made calls to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hostage families.
• 📰 News Nation was among the first to report the announcement live on air.
• 🇪🇬 Sources familiar with negotiations in Egypt confirmed a deal on hostages and prisoner exchange was reached, with exchanges anticipated over the weekend.
• ✈️ This timeline aligns with Trump's teasing of a potential trip to the Middle East.