Main Points
- US president Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his Gaza peace deal
- “ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon,” Mr Trump wrote on social media
- Hamas has confirmed the deal
- Explosions have been heard in Gaza after the deal was announced
- Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu described the agreement as “a great day for Israel”
- The Israeli cabinet will vote on the deal today
- Plan calls for the release of all 48 hostages held by Hamas
- Israel’s military is preparing to pull back troops in Gaza
- Von der Leyen says the EU is ready to help with the “recovery and reconstruction” of Gaza
- Macron hopes the deal will lead to a “political solution based on the two-state” concept
Best Reads
- Q&A: What do we know about Trump’s Gaza deal?
- Two years after October 7th attack, Israeli families live in its shadow
Hamas says it is committed to ‘permanent ceasefire’ as Israeli cabinet set to meet
With the Israeli cabinet due to ratify the ceasefire agreement this evening, the Hamas leadership in Gaza has declared what it says is a “permanent ceasefire”, Reuters is reporting.
Osama Hamdan is quoted by the news agency as saying that no Palestinian accepts disarming and Palestinians are in need of weapons and resistance.
The organisation said it was committed to the ceasefire, however, which it said would lead to the release of all Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails.
It will also provide for the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions, something that will allow aid in and members of the battered population to leave the territory.
It is clearly still a delicate time in the process with a lot left to be done before the peace looks more secure but, with progress still being made and Israel saying the ceasefire will come into effect within 24 hours of its government agreeing to the terms of the deal, we are going to leave the live news there for this evening.
Thanks to everyone who followed the updates from Ella and myself over the course of the day.
UK and European nations have part to play in supporting peace, says Yvette Cooper
European governments “will all be strongly playing” their part in the Gaza peace process, British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has said.
Asked whether she would be pushing for a European seat on the proposed “Board of Peace” to oversee an interim governing authority for Gaza, Ms Cooper told broadcasters: “We’re working to support the entire peace process because it’s really important that the work that president [Donald] Trump has led with the peace initiative, but also the negotiations that have taken place.
“And I pay tribute to not just the US, but Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, who have been involved in these negotiations.
“The crucial thing now is to support the implementation of the first phase but also for all of us to come together as part of the second phase.
“European nations, the UK, other nations also from across the world, will all be strongly playing our part in supporting this peace process.”
Medical evacuation of two newborn babies suspended due to ongoing security issues, says Unicef
Despite the impending ceasefire, Unicef said on Thursday it had to suspend a preapproved mission to transfer two newborn babies from Gaza City on Thursday because they did not get Israeli security clearance.
The babies are part of a group of 18 newborns in north Gaza hospitals whom UN agencies have been trying to evacuate amid an ongoing Israeli assault on the enclave’s largest urban area.
The two newborns, both less than a month old, were left behind in incubators at Al Helo Hospital because they could not be safely transferred along with their parents who fled north Gaza alongside hundreds of thousands of others, Unicef said.
“We put them in the back of the car and took them to our office and we were waiting for clearance to leave from there. Unfortunately we didn’t get that clearance,” Hamish Young, senior emergency co-ordinator for Unicef, said in a message sent to Reuters from Gaza City, speaking over machine gun fire.
Cogat, the arm of the Israeli military that oversees aid flows into Gaza, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, said Reuters, which added that it has previously disputed claims it does not allow medical transfers.
Government should press ahead with actions on Palestine regardless of deal, says IPSC
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has said it “tentatively welcomes” news of the ceasefire agreement but believes the Government should still pass the Occupied Territories Bill.
“While details of the actual agreement are seemingly not yet finalised, it is important to be clear that no agreement can dissolve the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom, justice, equality and return,” it says.
“International law cannot be subjugated to pieces of paper signed under duress, nor can one colonial ruler simply be replaced by another.”
It says that whether the ceasefire agreement holds or not, the Government should, among other things, enact the Occupied Territories Bill, end the use of Irish airspace and airports for the transiting of weapons and tech to Israel, and press for the cancellation of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Release of hostages expected early next week, says Trump
US president Donald Trump has now said he expects the Gaza hostages will be released on Monday or Tuesday and that he hopes to attend a signing ceremony in Egypt.
Ahead of a White House cabinet meeting to discuss the deal reached on Wednesday, he said he believed it will lead to a “lasting peace”.
Reuters reporting that he also said Gaza would be “redone” in the wake of the deal being concluded.
Lancet study finds 55,000 young children in Gaza acutely malnourished
As the UN says it is ready to send substantial food aid to Gaza, a study in the Lancet has found that almost 55,000 children under the age of six in the enclave are acutely malnourished.
The study, published on Wednesday in the respected international medical periodical, and led by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa), offers a month-by-month breakdown through much of the two-year conflict, it is reported, and shows for the first time a clear link between Israeli restrictions on supplies entering Gaza and levels of malnutrition among children.
The full article is here
Norway braced for backlash if Trump does not receive peace prize
Norway is bracing for the aftermath of the Nobel Peace Prize announcement on Friday, writes Bloomberg’s Heidi Taksdal Skjeseth.
The Nordic nation has faced increasing pressure from Donald Trump and his administration to award it to the US leader.
Mr Trump’s aggressive push to secure the prize, including public declarations he deserves it and calls to Norwegian officials, has intensified with a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and a possible peace deal.
In a social media post overnight on Thursday, Trump’s son Eric asked his followers on X to “retweet if you believe @realDonaldTrump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.” The White House official account on X posted a photo of Trump calling him “The Peace President” at about the same time.
You can read the article here
Italy’s Bryan Cristante hoping deal will end boycott
Among the many people welcoming the developments around Gaza is Italy international footballer Bryan Cristante, it seems.
It’s not clear, though, whether he has not been doing himself any favours with his reaction to the news or Reuters have simply omitted any comments he made regarding the bigger implications of any deal.
Cristante is, the agency reports, “hopeful the announcement of an agreement between Israel and Hamas will lead to a full stadium for his side’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel.
“Italy host Israel in Udine on Tuesday, and the expectation has been to see more people outside the ground than inside the Stadio Friuli, with large groups of pro-Palestinian protesters set to gather in the city.
“As of Wednesday, according to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), 4,000 tickets have been sold for a stadium with a capacity of over 25,000.
“Israel and Hamas signed an agreement to cease fire and free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the first phase of US president Donald Trump’s initiative to end the war in Gaza.
“‘We’re all extremely happy about this news which came out this morning,’ Cristante told reporters.
“‘It was what we all wanted and we hope that in Udine the stadium will be full because we need our supporters to give us that extra push, that extra gear which comes from having a packed stadium cheering for us, as they always have.’”
McDonald calls for peace in Gaza based on ‘restoration of international law’
Sinn Féin’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald, has said the ceasefire in Gaza should be followed by “a just political solution through good-faith dialogue”.
She has called on the Government to play its part in supporting the effort.
“The agreement presents hope that Israel’s brutal genocide will be brought to an end,” Ms McDonald said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“Israel’s attacks on the people of Gaza must stop immediately. It is crucial that vital humanitarian aid, food and medical supplies are allowed to flow into Gaza with urgency. All hostages must be released.
“This is a moment of hope that must now be seized with urgency. I am conscious that the details of the wider agreement are still being worked out. Everything must be done to ensure that this is not another false dawn.
“The Irish Government must use all of its influence and its voice to push for a sustainable peace deal.
“A just political solution through good faith dialogue must be the aim. A lasting peace must be built through the restoration of international law, the assertion of Palestinian human rights and self-determination, an end to the occupation, and the realisation of a free Palestinian state.”
Irish troops should be part of any peacekeeping force, says Andrews
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews sounding more cautious as he welcomes the tentative deal but he says Ireland should send troops as part of any international peacekeeping force in the event one is deployed.
“If this ceasefire deal is the first step of a real peace process, then it must be welcomed,” he has said.
“If it is yet another deflection tactic, then the EU must be prepared to immediately apply trade sanctions on Israel.
“If the proposed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza ever happens, with Palestinian and UN backing, then Ireland should be prepared to send peacekeepers as part of that deployment. The Irish Defence Forces have a proud record of peacekeeping around the world and can play an important part in helping to stabilise Gaza.
“However, any such temporary force must be part of a credible peace process based on international law, with accountability for war crimes and a pathway to a two-state solution with security for both states.”
Guterres hails deal as potential step towards ‘two-state solution’
UN secretary general António Guterres has said the agreement to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza has the potential to lead to a path toward self-determination of the Palestinian people.
“I urge all to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward,” Mr Guterres said at the United Nations, “a path towards ending the occupation, recognising the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and achieving a two-state solution.”
The UN chief pressed for full and sustained access for humanitarian workers in Gaza.
“The United Nations stands ready to provide its full support,” Mr Guterres said. “We and our partners are prepared to move – now.
“We have the expertise, the distribution networks, and community relationships in place to act. Supplies are in place, and our teams are on standby.”
Israeli military will control 53 per cent of Gaza, spokeswoman says
The Israeli military will retain control over about 53 per cent of Gaza, a government spokeswoman has said.
Israel says it will pull back its forces once the hostages are released, according to Reuters.
Prominent Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti not part of prisoner release, Israel says
Israel does not intend to release prominent Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti as part of the hostage release agreement, an Israeli government spokesperson said on Thursday.
“I can tell you at this point in time that he will not be part of this release,” spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian told reporters, according to Reuters.
Ceasefire deal brings ‘long-overdue relief and hope’, Jewish Representative Council of Ireland says
The ceasefire deal brings “long-overdue relief and hope” to families who have “endured unimaginable pain”, the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland has said.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the council welcomed reports of a first-phase ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and the associated release of hostages.
“This first phase involves steps toward the release of hostages, the repositioning of Israeli forces to agreed lines, and expanded humanitarian access. However, there remain many unresolved details, and implementation and verification will be crucial in the days ahead.
“This development brings long-overdue relief and hope to the families who have endured unimaginable pain. It must also mark the beginning of a sustained effort to ensure that every remaining hostage is safely returned and that violence does not resume.”
The council called on governments and international partners to support humanitarian relief, protect civilian life and work towards “a durable peace rooted in security, justice, and coexistence”.
“The council remains deeply mindful of the trauma carried by all the victims and their families and Jewish communities worldwide. We urge all in Ireland to stand firmly against antisemitism and hatred in all forms,” concluded the statement.
Israel says ceasefire will be within 24 hours of cabinet meeting
Israel has said there will be a ceasefire in Gaza within 24 hours of its cabinet meeting on Thursday, Reuters reports.
According to an Israeli government spokeswoman, after the 24 period has ended, the 72-hour period for the hostages to be released will begin.
DCU student from Gaza: ‘I’ve been waiting for this day for so long’
A student from Gaza, who received a scholarship to attend Dublin City University, says she has “been waiting for this day for so long”.
Ghada Ashour, from Khan Younis in the south of Gaza, came to Ireland 39 days ago.
“It’s the October 9th, 2025, we have been waiting for this for the past two years, can you imagine? For more than 730 days, we have been counting them,” she told RTÉ’s News at One.
“As a Gazan, I’ve been waiting for this day for so long, for over two years. I feel, on a random Thursday, after two long years, the world finally decided it had enough of the Palestinian blood.
“For the very first time in two years, Gazans can sleep knowing they will never be bombed, they will be alive the next day. For the very first time, they can sleep without fear, without waking up under the rubble.”
In photos: Palestinian mourners lead funeral processions on Thursday following reported Israeli raids on West Bank village yesterday evening.
NGOs react to ceasefire deal
Various non-governmental organisations are welcoming news of a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
ActionAid Ireland said the deal brings hope, but a surge in humanitarian aid is urgently needed.
Chief executive Karol Balfe said agreements are only valuable if they are respected and rooted in respect for human rights.
She added that “any recovery process must be led by Palestinians, including women and young people, who must be at the heart of the decision-making regarding their own future.
“States that have enabled the near-total destruction of Gaza have a responsibility to enable reconstruction.”
Trócaire has welcomed the news, saying it is “cautiously optimistic” about the promise of re-entry of international humanitarian aid.
The charity said the humanitarian crisis “remains catastrophic” and needs urgent, coordinated action.
“This first phase and the opening of a humanitarian corridor is desperately needed, but it comes after 24 months of systematic destruction, and the deliberate denial of food, water, and medical aid to over two million people,” said Chris McElhinney, head of humanitarian programmes at Trócaire.
Hani Askari, who works for Christian Aid’s partner, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, has told the charity he “can’t find the emotions to fit” as Israel and Hamas agreed to first phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan to pause fighting and release some hostages and prisoners.
“Part of it is relief and the other part is a heavy ache,” the 35-year-old, who is displaced from northern Gaza and currently living in Deir Al-Balah, said.
“There’s a sea of pain that doesn’t get traded or released. Yes, hope flickers for a moment but the exhaustion, the loss, and the fear will still sit deep inside.”
Peacekeeping troops, legal framework and a no longer dangerous Hamas all needed, says German foreign minister
Germany’s foreign minister said peacekeeping troops, a legal framework and a no longer dangerous Hamas are all necessary in future plans for Gaza.
Johann Wadephul said this would all be discussed among international partners in Paris.
“Humanitarian and medical aid must now reach Gaza quickly,” he said in a post on X.
“The people need prospects for reconstruction.”
Israel to release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners
Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained since the start of the war, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The figures were shared with AFP by a top Hamas official within the group, on condition of anonymity. There has been no indication that Israel will disclose the names of those set for release.
Hamas will release 20 living hostages in one go as part of the first phase of the deal, according to a source close to the Hamas negotiating team, AFP reports.
Independent TD Barry Heneghan has arrived back in Ireland, Tánaiste tells Dáil
Independent TD Barry Heneghan has arrived back in Ireland, the Tánaiste has told the Dáil.
Simon Harris said he had received “a brief message from him to that effect. It seems that Israel released parliamentarians first,” reports Marie O’Halloran.
Five Irish citizens including author Naoise Dolan and Mr Heneghan had been detained by Israel when their flotilla of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip was intercepted, organisers yesterday said.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Harris said “the other remaining Irish citizens will be engaging with our embassy team today, and obviously we’re calling for their swift release”.
The Tánaiste also said Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas development agency, would be contributing significantly to humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He told Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan who called for Israeli accountability over the illegal detention of Irish citizens in the recent Gaza-bound flotilla.
“We believe it was illegal in terms of how they were detained, and I do intend to consider how to pursue that with other counterparts today.”
He welcomed “the very real life prospect of a ceasefire, and also now the fact that the United Nations has talked about there being an update in the region to feed the people of Gaza for three months”.
“If we can just get that in, and get that in urgently, and our Irish Aid people will be endeavouring to assist on that.”
He told Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty, who also raised the issue, that: “I’ve directed my own officials to now prepare for a substantial contribution to Gaza to assist in the humanitarian effort that’s going to be required immediately.”
A consignment of 1,500 tents is being loaded by the International Organisation for Migration in Amman, Jordan, today for delivery into Gaza in the coming days, including 750 tents from Ireland’s humanitarian stocks, and Ireland will not be found wanting in doing more as well, Mr Harris said.
Unrwa: “We have enough to provide food for the entire population for the coming three months”
Welcoming the Gaza ceasefire deal on Thursday, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) said it has enough supplies to feed “the entire population for the coming three months”.
News that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire “is a huge relief”, Unrwa commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini said on X.
Turkey to take part in joint taskforce to locate bodies of hostages in Gaza
Turkey will take part in a joint taskforce – alongside Israel, the United States, Qatar and Egypt – to locate the bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza, whose locations are unknown.
A senior Turkish official confirmed the country’s participation in the task force on Thursday, Reuters reports.
Sinn Féin: “If a peace deal is successful that will be a moment of enormous relief”
Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on foreign affairs welcomed the ceasefire plan, while expressing concern at the continuation of attacks in Gaza after its announcement.
In a statement on Thursday morning, TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said that this must be the first step to a lasting peace in Palestine and the wider region, and must also open a path to Palestinian self-determination and national sovereignty.
“If a peace deal is successful or if a ceasefire can be achieved, that will be a moment of enormous relief for the people of Gaza, for the people of Palestine and for the people of Israel...
“I also want to express concern that there have already been a lot of attacks even in the hours after Donald Trump’s announcement of the peace plan, resulting in the deaths of many civilians in Gaza. We need to see a halt to such attacks immediately and for the civilian population of Gaza to finally get relief from the violence and destruction.”
Sinn Féin’s statement also reiterated the party’s calls on Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.
Egyptian president: “Triumph of the will for peace over the logic of war”
Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the world was witnessing “a historic moment that embodies the triumph of the will for peace over the logic of war”.
The ceasefire agreement closes “the chapter of war”, opening “the door of hope for the peoples of the region” for a future defined by justice and stability, he wrote on X.
Analysis: “Hamas had no choice”
Irish Times analyst Michael Jansen has filed a report on why Hamas accepted the Trump deal, even though it requires them to disarm.
“Hamas had no choice but to respond positively to US president Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. Hamas was told by Mr Trump that it had to accept his proposal ‘unconditionally, or you face obliteration’,” she writes.
Following the devastation of Gaza and huge death toll, she says the resistance movements have lost popular support they had once enjoyed.
“Unwilling to trust the US or Israel, Hamas called on the international community to ‘force the occupation government to fully implement the demands of the agreement and not allow it to evade or delay the implementation of what was agreed’.”
We’ll have her full piece online shortly.
Foreign ministers invited to Paris summit to discuss Gaza ceasefire plan
Foreign ministers from Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Jordan along with the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas have been invited to a summit in Paris today to discuss the Gaza ceasefire plan.
The summit on Thursday is being convened by French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
Press statements are expected at 4.30pm local time (2.30pm GMT)
Labour: “Today represents a significant step towards peace”
Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Duncan Smith TD, said the agreement of Gaza ceasefire and return of hostages is “a significant step towards peace”.
In a statement on Thursday morning, Mr Smith said:
“Any commitment towards a ceasefire must be welcomed. The world holds its breath as we await details and full agreement. The genocide carried out in Gaza by Israel has led to the loss of more than 67,000 lives, and there is no way to account for the long-term impact of the trauma of war on lives in Gaza.
“Since the outbreak of the violence following the attacks on October 7th, 2023, Irish people have calling for ceasefire to stop the killing and a just peace to allow the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“The Irish Government has kept Gaza on the agenda at an EU and international level to draw the world’s attention to the atrocities being committed in Gaza. This is due to the strong will of the Irish people who have attended protests and added their voices to the calls for a ceasefire.
“The bombardment and genocide in Gaza has shocked the world but today represents a significant step towards peace. It offers a glimmer of hope that the ceasefire lasts and we can move towards adjust peace.”
Ceasefire deal must be ratified before taking effect, Netanyahu’s office says
Although Egypt’s Al Qahera News has reported the ceasefire has come into effect, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that Binyamin Netanyahu’s office has said this will not happen until the deal is ratified on Thursday evening by Israel’s government.
Netanyahu is due to convene his security cabinet at 5pm local time (2pm GMT).
Mr Netanyahu’s office said in a statement:
“Contrary to Arab media reports, the 72-hour countdown will begin only after the agreement is approved in the cabinet meeting, which is expected in the evening hours.”
Release of Israeli hostages expected on Sunday or Monday
The release of 20 Israeli hostages from Gaza is expected to happen on Sunday or Monday, reports Reuters. According to the source, the news comes from an Israeli official.
More to follow.
WHO ready to ‘scale up’ health response after Gaza ceasefire, says director general
World Health Organisation (WHO) director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has described the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas as “a big step towards lasting peace”. He added that his agency was prepared to “scale up” health assistance to meet the needs of patients across Gaza.
Hospitals in Israel prepare to receive 20 living hostages
Celebrations, which began in the early hours of the morning in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, continued throughout the day.
Mark Weiss reports from Jerusalem:
“Three hospitals in central Israel are gearing up to process the initial absorption of the living hostages – believed to number 20 of the 48 captives.”
Their medical and psychological condition is yet unknown. Medical teams are expecting cases of severe malnutrition.
“The Israeli security cabinet and full cabinet will convene later on Thursday to approve the agreement. A majority is guaranteed despite opposition from the far-right ministers who wanted the war to continue until the ‘total defeat’ of Hamas and the expulsion of the Gaza population.
The far right also opposes the release of Palestinian prisoners serving life terms for the murder of hundreds of Israeli civilians. The ceasefire agreement may well prompt the two far-right parties to quit prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s coalition, forcing elections early next year.”
Full analysis to come.
Reactions from European leaders
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Germany is still observing the situation regarding the Gaza ceasefire deal but is confident a solution will be found this week.
“We are encouraged by the developments in Israel. There is obviously a great chance of reaching an agreement with Hamas in the next few hours,” Mr Merz said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez hailed the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, saying he hopes “this marks the beginning of a just and lasting peace”.
“Now it is time to engage in dialogue, to support the civilian population, and to look to the future with hope. But also with justice and with remembrance, so that the atrocities experienced are never repeated,” added Mr Sánchez.
UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said the Gaza ceasefire plan must be implemented as quickly as possible, the Guardian reports.
Speaking to reporters at Hillsborough Castle, where Ms Cooper is hosting a western Balkans summit, she described the agreement as “a moment of profound significance, relief and hope”.
“After two years of the most devastating suffering with tens of thousands of lives being lost, with the pain of hostages held for so long, and with the humanitarian crisis taking place, the agreement now to a ceasefire, to the restoration of humanitarian aid and to the release of all the hostages is immensely important and must be implemented as swiftly as possible.”
Macron hopes ceasefire deal will lead to ‘political solution based on the two-state solution’
French president Emmanuel Macron said the Gaza ceasefire plan “must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution”.
Mr Macron welcomed the agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, adding that France will continue to hold talks with international partners on Thursday.
Israel’s finance minister said he will not vote in favour of ceasefire deal
Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has said he will not vote in favour of a ceasefire deal.
The politician said in a post on X that Hamas must be destroyed after the return of hostages from Gaza, Reuters reports.
He stopped short of threatening to bring down prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, according to the source.
Explosions in Gaza after deal announced
Blasts were heard and seen in Gaza from southern Israel on Thursday morning.
The explosions came hours after Israel and Hamas said they had agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage release deal, and before the ceasefire was expected to take effect, according to Reuters.
Von der Leyen says EU ready to help with ‘recovery and reconstruction’
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza on Thursday, commending the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.
“Now, all parties must fully uphold the terms of the agreement. All hostages must be released safely. A permanent ceasefire must be established. The suffering must end,” she wrote in a post on social media.
Ms von der Leyen said that the EU would keep supporting aid deliveries to Gaza and was ready to help with “recovery and reconstruction”.
Netanyahu: ‘A diplomatic success’
Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu says the first phase of the deal means all all its hostages will be brought home.
“This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the state of Israel,” he said.
Israel military prepares to pull back troops in Gaza
The Israeli military has begun preparing to implement the agreement and “transition to adjusted deployment lines soon,” it said on social media.
Aid convoy enters Gaza - reports
Al Qahera News, Egypt’s state-run broadcaster, has shown footage of an aid convoy entering Gaza from Egypt, coinciding with the announcement of the agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The channel reported that the convoy’s entry was a continuation of Egyptian efforts to deliver relief supplies to the enclave.
‘A moment of profound relief’: Reaction to the peace deal
World leaders have been reacting to news of the deal, announced in the early hours of the morning.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement and urged all the parties to abide fully by the terms. ‘The stakes have never been higher’ he said on X.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief,Kaja Kallas, has added her voice to the world leaders, welcoming the Israel-Hamas deal, saying the agreement marks a significant breakthrough.
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, sad “we hope this effort will lead to a lasting political solution that ends the Israeli occupation and establishes an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Britain’s Keir Starmer described the deal as a “a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world”, particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza.
What’s known about the remaining hostages in Gaza?
Israel estimates that there are still about 20 living hostages in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 25 others.
Trump’s ceasefire proposal last month called for the release of all hostages, both living and dead, within 72 hours of Israel accepting the plan.
Hamas has released videos showing captives looking emaciated and frail, which have shocked many Israelis and raised questions about how much longer they can survive.
Hamas officials said last month that returning the bodies of dead captives would mean retrieving them from where they were buried, which would take time.
A deal is done - but devil will be in the detail
A peace deal - or even a lasting ceasefire - is a considerable diplomatic coup for Donald Trump.
Securing agreement between Israel and Hamas, with backing from Arab states, represents the best chance for an end to two-year war.
Just how the next stages of the deal will unfold are unclear, however.
The first phase of the plan is the most straightforward: the return of hostages held by Hamas and a limited withdrawal by the Israeli military. Even then, trying to find all the hostages, dead and alive, and managing an Israeli withdrawal, could be difficult.
The devil really is in the detail: the 20-point peace deal document is purposely vague, allowing the different parties to interpret the clauses in a manner acceptable to their own domestic constituencies.
My colleague Mark Weiss has filed an analysis on the potential obstacles ahead.
In pictures: how the deal was greeted in Israel and Gaza
Signing of deal set for 9am
The signing of the agreement on the first stage of Trump’s plan for Gaza is expected to take place at 12 pm Israel time, or 9am in Ireland, according to Reuters.
The ceasefire is expected to come into effect on the ground in Gaza once the deal is signed, the source added.
A note, a whisper and a social media post: how the Gaza deal was announced
It started with a whisper in the ear. Marco Rubio interrupted Donald Trump’s roundtable event with conservative influencers, speaking quietly into Trump’s ear.
Rubio handed the president a note, which read “Very close. We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”
Shortly afterwards, Trump’s Truth Social account announced the “first phase” of a peace plan to pause fighting and release some hostages and prisoners held in Gaza had been agreed by Israel and Hamas.
“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,” Trump wrote.
What do we know about the Gaza deal?
Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to the first phase of US president Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal that could be a first step toward ending a bloody two-year-old war that has roiled the Middle East.
So, what do we know about it? What are the main unknowns? What are the big risks? And what happens next?
We have an explainer, here, which answers these questions here.
