Former hostages of Hamas have celebrated news that the group and Israel have agreed to an initial plan to pause fighting in Gaza. The agreement includes provisions to release remaining hostages and prisoners held by both sides.
US President Donald Trump announced the breakthrough late on Wednesday on his Truth Social platform. Trump wrote: "This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly!"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded on social media, saying: "With God's help we will bring them all home." Hamas separately confirmed the deal would ensure withdrawal of Israeli troops and allow aid to enter Gaza.
Early on Thursday, Netanyahu called the deal a "diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel". He wrote: "From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved. Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point."
Emotional celebrations
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli former hostage, posted a video on Instagram celebrating with friends including fellow former hostage Romi Gonen. The group could be seen hugging and dancing whilst toasting "L'chaim", meaning "to life".
Eli Sharabi, a freed hostage whose wife and two daughters were killed during Hamas's attack on 7th October 2023, expressed his joy on social media. He wrote: "Great joy, can't wait to see everyone home."
Vicky Cohen, the mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, wrote: "My child, you are coming home." Nimrod's father, Yehuda Cohen, had spoken at the Israeli Embassy in London in March urging Netanyahu to move a ceasefire deal forward.
International response
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to honour the agreement's terms and said the UN would support its "full implementation". He welcomed the announcement, writing: "I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire & hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by @POTUS."
Guterres commended diplomatic efforts by the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in brokering what he called a "desperately needed breakthrough". He emphasised that all hostages must be released in a dignified manner and called for permanent ceasefire.
Speaking on Fox News on Thursday, Trump said Gaza "will be rebuilt". He stated: "The whole world came together, to be honest. The world has come together around this deal. It's been really an amazing period of time. So great for Israel, so great for Muslims and the Arab countries."
Trump expressed confidence about regional stability, saying: "Gaza, we believe is going to be a much safer place and it's going to be a place that reconstructs and other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous amounts of wealth, and they want to see that happen. I'm very confident there'll be peace in the Middle East."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
