What does Trump’s Gaza peace deal say? Here are the details so far – National

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gazaa ceasefire and hostage agreement that could be a first step toward ending a two year old conflict that has thrown the Middle East into turmoil.

Here are some details of what is known and not known so far:

The agreement on the first phase of Trump’s 20-point framework was the result of indirect talks in Egypt, a day after the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that prompted the Israeli attack on Gaza.

Trump announced that both Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of the plan and that this would determine the outcome release of all hostagesalive and dead, “very soon” and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to the so-called yellow line in Gaza. According to a senior Israeli security source, that is a limit for a first Israeli withdrawal under the Trump plan.

Hamas confirmed it had reached an agreement to end the conflict, including an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an exchange of hostages and prisoners, but the group called on Trump and the guarantor states to ensure Israel fully implements the ceasefire.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday before a Cabinet meeting with reporters that “it’s a day for optimism,” praising Trump and others for the progress made.

“I would of course like to salute President Trump, whose decisive leadership made this possible. Mr. Kushner, Mr. Witkoff, the Qataris, the Egyptians and Turkey, who have been essential in reaching this moment. The next 48 hours are crucial. We urge the parties, especially Hamas, to move forward and release all hostages – including the deceased hostages,” said Carney told reporters in Ottawa on Thursday.

“The President and I discussed at the White House how Canada can support this process. We are supporting with humanitarian assistance. There are other mechanisms we can do to support it. We are encouraged, but it is the first phase and there is more to come.”

Despite the hopes raised to end the conflict, crucial details have yet to be specified.

These include timing, post-conflict governance for the Gaza Strip and the fate of Hamas.

There is no clear indication who will rule Gaza when the conflict ends. Netanyahu, Trump, Western and Arab states have ruled out a role for Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since expelling Palestinian rivals in 2007.

Trump’s original plan provides for a role for the Palestinian Authority, but only after it undergoes major reforms.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government on Thursday to approve the deal.

A source familiar with the matter said this was largely procedural as Israel had already agreed to it. But some details still need to be worked out, so the timing could change, sources familiar with the talks say.

Hamas will release the 20 surviving hostages together 72 hours after the ceasefire takes effect, the sources said. An Israeli official said the hostages could be released on Sunday or Monday.

Palestinian sources said the bodies of dead hostages would be gradually released as the Israeli army withdrew. Gal Hirsch, Israel’s hostage coordinator, said an international force would be established to help find dead hostages that Hamas cannot locate.

Israel is expected to release about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including more than 200 serving life sentences, the Palestinian sources said.

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Hamas said on Wednesday it had handed over its lists of the hostages it is holding and the Palestinian prisoners it wants to release and exchange.

The Israeli official said that once Israel approves the deal, it must withdraw to the agreed line within 24 hours, after which the 72-hour clock would begin. The White House expects the hostages to be released on Monday.

Under Trump’s plan, humanitarian aid entering Gaza will increase. The Israeli official said 600 trucks a day would soon enter Gaza. Two Palestinian sources said the number would be at least 400 trucks per day and would increase gradually.

Trump is expected to travel to Egypt in the coming days. The White House said he was considering going to the region on Friday. Netanyahu has invited Trump to address the Israeli parliament, and Trump told Axios he would be willing to do so.

The next phase of Trump’s plan calls for an international body – the “Council of Peace” – to play a role in Gaza’s post-conflict governance. Under the plan, it would be led by Trump and involve former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Successful completion of the deal would be Trump’s greatest foreign policy achievement to date.

Hamas has so far refused to give in to Israeli demands that the militant group give up its weapons. A Palestinian source said Hamas would reject this as long as Israeli forces occupied Palestinian land.

Two sources familiar with the talks confirmed that sticking points included the mechanism for the Israeli withdrawal, with Hamas seeking a clear timeline linked to the release of hostages and guarantees of a full withdrawal by the Israeli forces.

Inside Gaza, Israel has scaled back its military campaign at Trump’s insistence, but has not stopped strikes altogether.

Arab countries say the plan should lead to eventual independence from a Palestinian state. Netanyahu says this will never happen.

Hamas has said it would hand over the administration of Gaza only to a Palestinian technocrat government overseen by the Palestinian Authority and backed by Arab and Muslim countries. It rejects any role for Blair or foreign rule over Gaza.

The list of Palestinians Hamas wants to release was expected to include some of the most prominent prisoners ever jailed by Israel, whose release was banned during previous ceasefires.

According to a Palestinian source close to the talks, the list also includes Marwan al-Barghouti, a leader of the Fatah movement, and Ahmed Saadat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Both are serving multiple life sentences for involvement in attacks that killed Israelis.