Israel, Hamas agree on first phase of Gaza deal; release of hostages likely within days

US President Donald Trump said on Oct 8 that Israel and Hamas had reached a long-sought deal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release under his plan for ending the two-year-old war in the Palestinian enclave.

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Just a day after the second anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel that triggered Israel's devastating assault on Gaza, indirect talks in Egypt yielded an agreement on the initial stage of Mr Trump's 20-point framework to bring peace to the Palestinian enclave.

The accord, if fully implemented, would bring the two sides closer than any previous effort to halt a war that has evolved into a regional conflict, drawing in countries such as Iran, Yemen and Lebanon, deepened Israel's international isolation and reshaped the Middle East.

But the deal announced by Mr Trump late on Oct 8 was short on detail and left many unresolved questions that could still lead to its collapse, as has happened with previous peace efforts.

Successful completion of the deal would mark a significant foreign policy achievement for the Republican President, who had campaigned on bringing peace to major world conflicts but has struggled to swiftly deliver, both in Gaza and on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan," Mr Trump said 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 towards a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace," he added.

Mr Trump said earlier that a deal was almost done and that he may travel to Egypt this weekend, possibly leaving as soon as Oct 11. Axios reported that he may go to Israel as well.

There was no immediate comment from the White House.

The agreement could pave the way for desperately needed humanitarian aid to be immediately sent to the Gaza Strip, where a global hunger monitor said in August that over half a million people were experiencing famine.