Palestinians react to the first phase of the ceasefire
Residents of Khan Yunis, Gaza, reacted to the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of President Trump’s peace deal by celebrating in the streets. (Credit: Reuters)
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In the interview, Trump credited both “luck” and “genius”, saying “the whole world came together to get the deal done”.
“So many countries that you wouldn’t even think about have come together,” he said on “Hannity.” “It’s been very good for Israel, very good for Muslims, very good for the Arab countries – and very good for the United States. It’s more than Gaza – it’s peace in the Middle East.”
Leaders around the world are welcoming the news and calling it a potential turning point.
Hamas accepts Trump’s peace plan to end two-year war in Gaza, return hostages
President Donald Trump hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Avi Ohayon (GPO)/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all of our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic breakthrough and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.” “From the beginning, I made it clear: We will not rest until all our hostages are returned and all our goals are achieved.”
He thanked his “great friend and ally President Trump”, saying that Israel “has reached this critical juncture.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Trump for his strong support of the agreement, adding that “if he visits us in the coming days, he will be received with the utmost respect, affection and gratitude by the people of Israel.”
The post reads, “This agreement will bring moments of indescribable relief to the beloved families who have not slept for 733 days. This agreement provides a chance for our region to mend, heal, and open a new horizon of hope.” “It is time to honor the heroes among us: our sons and daughters who fought bravely to bring the hostages home; the bereaved families; those wounded in body and spirit; and all those who have paid an unbearable price for this historic and important moment.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog says the agreement will bring moments of indescribable relief to beloved families who have not slept for 733 days. (AP/Ben Curtis)
Trump unveiled a 20-point plan to ensure peace in Gaza, which also includes granting ‘amnesty’ to some Hamas members.
According to Reuters, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the success and urged rapid progress.
Guterres said, “I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza and an agreement for the release of hostages. The United Nations will support full implementation and recovery efforts. This important opportunity must not be squandered.”
Under the agreement, Hamas is expected to release all 20 surviving hostages by this weekend, and the Israeli military is expected to begin withdrawing troops from most of Gaza as part of an initial phase.
Israelis marched from Sderot towards Gaza’s northern border on July 30, 2025, calling for the re-establishment of settlements in the area in Israel. (Mustafa Alkharaouf/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The IDF also released a statement on social media, welcoming “the signing of the agreement for the return of the hostages, which was signed overnight.”
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“This is a great day for peace,” Trump said. “For many years they talked about peace in the Middle East – now it’s happening.”
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, a figure that has not been independently verified.
