The first phase of a ceasefire has been agreed to by Israel and Gaza – according to U.S. President Donald Trump. 

It would be the first time the Israeli government has ever agreed to a partial withdrawal of forces within the strip. 

The announcement has seen a flood of international praise and urges for all parties to abide by the terms.

The terms

if it comes to fruition, the agreement would see the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces and allowing aid into Gaza. 

Hamas is expected to release 20 Israeli hostages believed to be still alive. Israel will release around 1,700 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. 

Israel's security cabinet still needs to ratify the deal at a meeting on Thursday afternoon. From there, Trump says Israeli hostages will likely be released on Monday – with the anticipated Israeli agreement to the deal triggering a 72-hour countdown for the prisoner swap to occur. 

Timeline of truce attempts 

There have been several formal mediated pauses already in the conflict. 

October 2023: Hamas' cross-border attack on Israel triggers Israeli airstrikes and a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip.

November 2023: Qatar and Egypt mediate a four-day truce. Both sides agree to prisoner swaps including 50 Israeli women and children hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners – but after the pause, fighting resumes. 

November 2023: The U.S. vetoes a UN Security Council peace proposal for Gaza. This has happened again five times since. 

May 2024: U.S. President Joe Biden presents a three-phase ceasefire/hostage plan including a staged ceasefire with hostage releases, an eventual permanent pause and reconstruction framework. 

June 2024: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly states he will not agree to a permanent end to the war until Hamas' military and governing capabilities are destroyed.

January 2025: Israel and Hamas agree to a multi-week ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange – 33 Israeli and almost 2000 Palestinians – in a deal brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar.

March 2025: The agreement collapses after Israel conducts extensive strikes across Gaza, accusing Hamas of having refused to release hostages and rejected proposals to extend the truce. Both sides blamed the other for the collapse of the pause.  

October 2025: First phase of a ceasefire is expected to be agreed to. If so, it will be the first time Israel has agreed to withdraw forces within Gaza to an "agreed line".