Israel and Hamas Reach Ceasefire Agreement and Hostage Return Deal

Israel and Hamas have announced that they have reached a long-awaited ceasefire agreement and a deal involving the return of hostages. This marks the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 67,000 individuals and significantly impacted the Middle East region. Just one day after the second anniversary of Hamas militants’ cross-border attack that triggered a massive Israeli military operation in Gaza, indirect negotiations in Egypt have led to an agreement on the initial stage of Trump’s 20-point plan to promote peace in the Palestinian territory.