Israel-Hamas agree to phase 1 ceasefire… Hostage releases and troop withdrawals likely to begin soon [Comprehensive]

Mediator Qatar also confirms deal

"Both sides agree to all clauses of phase 1 of the ceasefire agreement"

Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, which have been fighting in the Gaza Strip for two years, agreed on phase 1 of a ceasefire agreement on the 8th (local time).

Accordingly, the release procedures for 20 surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas are expected to begin soon, and the Israeli military is also expected to begin a phased withdrawal.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media platform Truth Social, "I proudly announce that Israel and Hamas have both agreed to phase 1 of our peace plan."

He added, "This is the first step toward a strong, lasting, and permanent peace, meaning that all hostages will be released very soon (very soon) and Israel will withdraw its forces to the agreed line."

'Agreed line' appears likely to refer to the 'phase 1 withdrawal line of the Israeli army' that President Trump publicized on Truth Social on the 4th.

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At that time, President Trump said, "At the end of negotiations, Israel agreed to the phase 1 withdrawal line we proposed and shared with Hamas."

President Trump, announcing the agreement between the two sides that day, emphasized, "All parties will be treated fairly."

President Trump said, "Today is a very great day for Arab and Islamic countries, Israel, all neighboring countries, and the United States," adding, "I thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye who cooperated with us to make this historic and unprecedented event possible."

He added, "Blessings to the peacemakers!"

Majid Al Ansari, Foreign Ministry spokesperson of Qatar, who has been mediating the talks between the two sides, also confirmed the deal via X(X·formerly Twitter), saying, "The mediators announce that an agreement has been reached tonight on all clauses of phase 1 of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the implementation procedures," AFP reported.

He continued, "This will lead to the end of the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, and the entry of humanitarian aid," adding, "Details will be announced later."

Earlier, President Trump announced the 'Gaza peace plan' on the 29th of last month, which includes the release of hostages and detainees on both sides, the disarmament of Hamas, the phased withdrawal of Israel, and the post-war governance system of the Gaza Strip, to end the Gaza war that had lasted two years since October 7, 2023.

With Israel immediately agreeing to the peace plan, President Trump strongly pressured Hamas, saying, "If you miss the last chance to reach an agreement, a hell that no one has ever seen will unfold."

In this situation, Israel and Hamas have been conducting negotiations since the 6th in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Red Sea resort in Egypt, under the mediation of Egypt·Qatar and others, to secure hostage releases and a ceasefire.

Sujin Choi, Hankyung.com reporter naive@hankyung.com