US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his proposed Gaza peace deal, a breakthrough that could mark a significant step towards ending months of conflict.

Under the agreement, Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners will be released, Israeli forces will withdraw from parts of Gaza, and humanitarian aid will be allowed to enter the enclave.

Israel’s government is scheduled to meet today to give formal approval to the deal. If ratified — which appears virtually certain — a ceasefire will come into effect immediately. The US administration said that all remaining Israeli hostages would be freed by Monday, outlining a timeline of possible next steps.

Hamas has confirmed its acceptance of the agreement, although a Palestinian source told the BBC that the group has not yet received the final list of prisoners Israel plans to release in exchange.

Despite the optimism surrounding the announcement, analysts warn that a lasting peace remains uncertain as key details still need to be resolved.

This is a significant moment, but there is no guarantee that a peace deal for Gaza will happen,” said BBC correspondent Hugo Bachega.

Celebrations have already erupted across Gaza and in Israel, where hostage families have expressed relief after months of anguish.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the agreement as “a great day” for his country, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “a moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world.”

Intense negotiations in Egypt paved the way for the breakthrough, which many hope will bring an end to the devastating conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless families.

#BBC