Trump says Gaza hostages may be released by Tuesday under deal
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The news: US President Donald Trump said the remaining hostages in Gaza could be released on “Monday or Tuesday” under a the first phase of a peace plan signed between Israel and Hamas.
What they said: Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Trump described the agreement as a “momentous breakthrough”, adding, “we ended the war in Gaza.”
“I think it’s going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace. Peace in the Middle East,” Trump said. “Gaza is going to be slowly redone. You have tremendous wealth in that part of the world by certain countries, and just a small part of that, what they make, will do wonders for Gaza”
Trump said he planned to travel to Egypt for an official signing.
The context: The agreement was signed earlier in Egypt after months of failed efforts to end the war.
Trump credited a September meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders at the UN for building the coalition behind the deal. His envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner have arrived in Israel ahead of an expected signing ceremony.
In Paris, foreign ministers from Europe and the Arab world were also meeting to discuss what comes next, including reconstruction, humanitarian access and governance.
Iran, Russia and the UN have all welcomed the deal. The Israeli offensive in Gaza, however, was ongoing as the country's security cabinet began meeting ahead of a full government vote on the deal, a step required before the truce takes effect.
The sources: BBC, The New York Times, Reuters, Associated Press
