Israel and Hamas sign first phase of plan, says Trump

US president hints that he may visit Gaza this weekend during a planned trip to Sharm El-Sheikh to confirm deal

- ANDREW FEINBERG IN WASHINGTON DC

President Donald Trump has said an agreement to end Israel’s two-year-old war against Hamas in Gaza has been “signed off” by Israel and Hamas and will allow the release of all hostages “very soon”. The president made the announcement in a post to Truth Social yesterday evening.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. 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 toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” the president said.

“All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”

Soon after Mr Trump’s post, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “With God's help we will bring them all home.” A spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry has affirmed Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Trump was handed a note by secretary of state Marco Rubio during an event at the White House.

Mr Trump was taking questions from reporters during a roundtable with right-wing influencers when Mr Rubio entered the room.

After Mr Trump invited him to sit at the table alongside several other White House staff, the ex-Florida senator approached the president and whispered something in his ear. He then sat down and wrote a note which he had passed to the president.