Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a peace plan. What happens next?
Next steps
Following the agreement, Israeli lawmakers ratified the plan. The Knesset has officially invited President Donald Trump to speak, marking him as the first U.S. president to do so since former President George W. Bush in 2008.
Following the ratification, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw from Gaza to a point where it still controls about 53% of the Gaza Strip, according to reports.
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“The IDF has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement,” the IDF said in a post on X Thursday. “As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon.”
Following the military’s movement, a 72-hour window will open in which Hamas is required to release all 20 of the hostages still believed to be alive. That’s expected to happen on Sunday, according to the New York Times.
It’s unclear when the bodies of the 28 dead hostages would return to Israel.
After the hostage release, Israel is expected to release roughly 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israel and 1,700 detainees from Gaza, according to the BBC.
The list of those being released by Israel hasn’t been made public, but Hamas reportedly submitted it and includes several high-profile people.
If this phase goes through peacefully, negotiations will restart over the later stages of Trump’s peace plan.
Hostage family reactions
“Thank you!”
That’s what a group of hostage family members shouted to President Donald Trump while on a phone call with him.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined the group for the call, where one man could be heard telling Trump, “Mr. President, we believe in you. We know you’ve done so much for us.”
Since the announcement of the deal, family and friends of the hostages have shared their joy at the news.
Four different parents of hostages were seen embracing following the news.
Former hostage Omer Wenkert posted an Instagram video celebrating the news.
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Two years after Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and kidnapping 251 people, it’s believed that 20 hostages are still alive.
“I don’t believe it,” Wenkert said in a post translated from Hebrew. “Finally you’re coming back to life, can’t wait to hold you. My heart’s wish is coming true! Guy, Evyatar and all the kidnapped — is this how it feels when dreams come true?”
US involvement
About 200 U.S. military members will head to Israel to serve at a civil-military coordination center. The plan is to help support stabilization efforts in Gaza and monitor the progress of the ceasefire agreement.
“U.S. Central Command is establishing a civil-military coordination center (CMCC) in Israel to support stabilization efforts for Gaza following the Oct. 8 announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. will not deploy U.S. military personnel into Gaza,” a U.S. official told CBS News.
World leader reactions
Reactions also poured in today from other world leaders following the news.
“Congratulations to President Trump for his essential leadership and thank you to Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye for their tireless work to support the negotiations,” Mark Carney, prime minister of Canada, said on X. “I am relieved that the hostages will soon be reunited with their families.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also commented.
“Great hope for the hostages and their families, for the Palestinians in Gaza and for the entire region,” Macron said in a post translated from French. “I welcome the agreement signed tonight, which includes the release of the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza, and the efforts taken by President Trump and the mediators Qatar, Egypt and Turkey to achieve it.”
Keir Starmer, prime minister of the United Kingdom, released a statement.
“This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years,” Starmer said in part.
Back stateside, former President Barack Obama welcomed the news.
“After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight; that those hostages still being held will be reunited with their families; and that vital aid can start reaching those inside Gaza whose lives have been shattered,” Obama wrote on X.
