Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that negotiators reached a deal to release hostages in Gaza, following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that ended the 15-month-long conflict. Trump shared the news on his Truth Social network, stating, “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!” This update came before any official confirmation from President Joe Biden’s White House.
Trump expressed his commitment to ensuring Gaza would not become a “terrorist safe haven” and vowed to collaborate with Israel and its allies to prevent such a situation. His announcement came after reports from multiple agencies confirmed that Israel and Hamas had agreed on a ceasefire deal, marking the end of the long-running conflict that began in October 2023 when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel.
The hostages remaining in Gaza are a mix of Israeli citizens, foreigners, civilians, soldiers, and children, with some believed to still be alive. Israeli authorities confirmed that Hamas is still holding 98 hostages in Gaza, including several individuals whom they have held since 2014. The hostages’ release was a key component of the ceasefire agreement.
Both U.S. and Hamas sources confirmed the deal, while a senior Israeli official said that they still needed to finalize some details. U.S. officials requested anonymity while discussing the agreement before the official announcement from mediators in Doha. President Biden was preparing to address the breakthrough deal in a statement scheduled for later in the day.
Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 Israelis and led to the abduction of 250 individuals. In retaliation, Israel’s military offensive in Gaza resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian casualties, displaced 90% of Gaza’s population, and triggered a major humanitarian crisis. The U.S., Egypt, and Qatar brokered months of indirect negotiations, which culminated in this significant ceasefire agreement.
The situation remains delicate, but with the hostages’ potential release and a ceasefire in place, hopes for a lasting peace are rising, with international leaders continuing to monitor the developments closely.
