Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the 'first phase' of his peace plan

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the "first phase" of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners, in a major breakthrough in the two-year-old war.

"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 on social media.

Hamas plans to release all 20 living hostages this weekend, people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media, "With God's help we will bring them all home." Hamas said separately that the deal would ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops as well as allow for the entry of aid and exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Daniel Lifshitz, whose grandmother was freed and grandfather was killed in captivity, on Wednesday thanked world leaders for helping secure the newly signed agreement to release all hostages held in Gaza.

"We express our deepest gratitude as the historic agreement has been signed — the hostages, our brothers and sisters, are coming home," Lifshitz said in a statement.

He thanked Trump for his "decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to bringing every hostage back within 72 hours," and also praised the roles of Egyptian, Turkish and Qatari leaders and negotiators, citing their "personal dedication and relentless efforts."

Lifshitz also expressed appreciation to Israel's negotiation team and Netanyahu "for their determination and courage in achieving this vital agreement."

From the 20 hostages returned, four are from his community including lifelong friends. "This united cooperation and shared moral responsibility have proven that when the right people stand together, humanity prevails" he said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas late Wednesday to begin the initial phase of a US-brokered peace deal while urging all parties to "abide fully by the terms of the agreement."

Guterres said that the UN will support the full implementation of the agreement and has been ready to scale up delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza that has been sitting on the borders of Jordan and Egypt.

"I urge all stakeholders to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward towards ending the occupation, recognising the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and achieving a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with President Donald Trump, and they congratulated each other on an agreement to release all the hostages which Netanyahu's office described as a "historic achievement"

According to a statement from the prime minister's office, the conversation was "warm and moving."

Netanyahu thanked Trump for his "efforts and global leadership," while Trump praised Netanyahu's "determined leadership and the actions he led."

The agreement will head to the Israeli Cabinet on Thursday for its approval, and once that occurs, Israeli forces will begin withdrawing to the agreed upon boundary, according to a senior White House official. That should take less than 24 hours, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss planning.

Hamas then has 72 hours to release hostages, and the White House believes they will begin being released on Monday, the official said.

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