Gaza Peace Deal: First Phase Agreement

US President Donald Trump has announced a breakthrough in the Gaza conflict, revealing that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a comprehensive peace plan. This development comes two years after Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which was initiated in response to the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants.

The agreement, brokered through intense negotiations in Egypt, outlines several critical points. Foremost among these is the release of all hostages held by Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed-upon line within Gaza. President Trump hailed this as the initial steps towards 'everlasting peace' in the region.

While the announcement has been met with cautious optimism by world leaders and relief from families of hostages, several crucial aspects of the deal remain ambiguous. The future governance of Gaza, the potential disarmament of Hamas, and the specifics of prisoner exchanges are among the unresolved issues that will likely be addressed in subsequent phases of the peace plan.

The implementation of this first phase is contingent upon formal approval by the Israeli government, expected to be decided in a vote on Thursday. If ratified, the process of troop withdrawal and hostage release could commence as early as next week, marking a significant turning point in the protracted conflict.