The president says a cease-fire and hostage exchange will take effect once Hamas agrees to the terms of a U.S.-brokered proposal.
President Donald Trump said on Oct. 4 that Israel has agreed to an initial withdrawal line in Gaza as part of his administration’s peace plan to end the war and secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas.
“After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 YEAR CATASTROPHE.”
The announcement followed days of intensive talks involving intermediaries from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, after Hamas issued its formal response to Trump’s 20-point peace proposal. That plan, unveiled earlier in the week, outlines a multi-phase process under which Israel would withdraw to a designated line inside Gaza, halt military operations, and begin a comprehensive exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Under the proposal, Hamas would release all Israeli hostages—both living and deceased—in return for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences. The plan also bars Israel from occupying or annexing Gaza and sets out steps to demilitarize and deradicalize the territory under international oversight.
Hamas said it welcomes Trump’s proposal and is ready to release all hostages and relinquish power over Gaza, though the group noted that other provisions would require additional consultations among Palestinians.
Trump said in an earlier post that, based on the statement issued by Hamas, he believes they are ready for a “lasting peace” and that only “details” remain to be worked out.
Israeli officials signaled their readiness to move forward. The Prime Minister’s Office said on Oct. 3 that Israel is preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the plan’s first stage and pledged coordination with Washington. “We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set by Israel that are in line with President Trump’s vision,” the statement said.
The Israel Defense Forces said the political leadership has directed the military to “advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase,” focusing on the release of hostages held by Hamas and the redeployment of forces in Gaza.
By Tom Ozimek
