WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared Tuesday night that his administration has successfully brokered a historic peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending months of high-stakes diplomacy aimed at halting the war in Gaza.
Trump announced the deal moments after receiving a handwritten note from Secretary of State Marco Rubio during an open cabinet meeting at the White House, surrounded by journalists. “This is the first phase of our peace plan — and it will free all hostages and set the stage for a permanent ceasefire,” the president told reporters.
Under the Trump Peace Plan, Israel and Hamas have agreed to release all hostages held in Gaza and initiate a phased troop withdrawal as part of a framework to end the two-year conflict. The deal also calls for the release of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences, within 72 hours of implementation.
“This is a great day for peace — for Israel, for the Arab world, for every family praying for the return of loved ones,” Trump said on Truth Social, crediting Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their roles as mediators.
Trump confirmed that he will travel to Egypt this weekend to attend the signing ceremony alongside regional leaders and international observers. The White House said the broader 20-point plan includes a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and disarmament of Hamas militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the American president’s leadership, saying the deal represents “a realistic path toward peace and security.” Hamas officials, meanwhile, described the agreement as “a step toward ending the war,” but urged Washington to ensure Israel follows through.
The announcement comes just days after the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which triggered the Gaza war and reshaped regional politics. Trump’s administration, long vocal about restoring “order and peace through strength,” framed the deal as evidence that U.S. leadership can achieve what others could not.
“It’s proof,” Trump said, “that peace through strength works — and America is back as the leader of the free world.”
