Last Update October 9, 2025, 8:59 PM EDT

Israel and Hamas have agreed to phase one of a peace deal that President Donald Trump says will see the release of all living hostages. The deal also has Israel withdrawing its troops from most of Gaza, initiating a ceasefire with Hamas.

Covered by: Anders Hagstrom and Greg Wehner

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Fast Facts:

• Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a peace deal that will see all hostages freed and Israeli troops withdrawing from most of Gaza.
• President Donald Trump announced the deal on Wednesday night, hailing assistance from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.
• Hamas has 72 hours to release the 20 remaining hostages believed to be alive, along with the 28 who are deceased, starting Thursday morning.

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6 hour(s) ago

PINNED

Document details steps in Trump’s ‘Comprehensive End of Gaza War’ proposal

“Comprehensive End of Gaza War” plan (Obtained by Israeli Channel 11 political correspondent Gili Cohen)

A document obtained by Israeli Channel 11 political correspondent Gili Cohen outlines President Donald Trump’s “Comprehensive End of Gaza War” plan, detailing a step-by-step framework to end fighting, withdraw Israeli forces, and secure the release of all hostages within days.

The first step calls for President Donald Trump to announce the end of the war in the Gaza Strip and confirm that all parties have agreed to implement the steps required to conclude it.

According to step two, “The war will immediately end upon the approval of the Israeli government. All military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment and targeting operations, will be suspended. During the 72-hour period, aerial surveillance will be suspended over the areas which IDF withdraws from.”

The document states that full humanitarian aid and relief operations, as outlined in the proposal and in the January 19, 2025 agreement with Joe Mangano, will commence immediately.

The fourth step states, “IDF will withdraw to lines agreed upon as per map ‘X’ attached herewith, and this will be completed after President Trump’s announcement and within 24 hours of Israeli government approval. The IDF will not return to areas that have been withdrawn from, as long as Hamas fully implements the deal.”

Within 72 hours of the IDF’s withdrawal, “all Israeli hostages, living and deceased, held in Gaza will be released.”

The document then details several subsections related to the release of hostages. For instance, “As soon as IDF completes its withdrawal, Hamas will commence investigating the status of hostages and collect all information pertaining to them. Hamas will compile the results of its findings through the information-sharing mechanism…Israel will provide information on the Palestinian prisoners and detainees from the Gaza Strip held in Israel.”

Within the same 72-hour window, Hamas will release all living hostages, including those held by Palestinian factions, as well as the remains of deceased hostages in its possession and those held by other groups in Gaza. Hamas also agrees to share, within those 72 hours, all information about any remaining hostages or deceased individuals, while Israel will provide details on the remains of deceased Gazans held in the Gaza Strip.

The document concludes by calling for a task force of representatives from the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and other nations to follow up on the implementation and coordination of the peace deal.

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

5 hour(s) ago

Could Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize after Israel-Hamas deal?

The sudden announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire Wednesday night reignited a once-far-fetched question in world politics: could President Donald Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize?

If the ceasefire holds, it would signify a landmark achievement months in the making for a president who has branded himself a global peacemaker. Trump has long insisted he deserves the prize but doubts the committee would ever give it to him.

“I’m not politicking for it,” Trump said when asked about the prospect during the Aug. 8 signing of a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House. “I have a lot of people that are.”

The deadline for this year’s nominations was January 31. Some proposals for Trump came in before then, but many arrived after the cutoff date. If he does not win when the prize is announced Friday, he could be considered again next year.

Read more about Trump’s chances of winning the honorary prize.

This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips.

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

7 hour(s) ago

Netanyahu, Trump envoys meet in Jerusalem to mark breakthrough hostage deal

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At a Thursday night meeting in Jerusalem, IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to reflect on the negotiations that led to a historic deal to bring home Israeli hostages and end the war with Hamas.

Netanyahu commended Trump and his envoys for their key role in brokering a deal to return all Israeli hostages, living and dead. He said the agreement marked the culmination of two years of conflict, crediting the mix of military and diplomatic pressure — and the courage of Israeli soldiers — for isolating Hamas and making the deal possible.

“We couldn’t have achieved it without the extraordinary help of President Trump and his team, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner,” the prime minister said.

Witkoff, who helped craft the Trump peace framework, said Netanyahu’s resolve and timing were crucial to sealing the ceasefire and hostage release. He said Hamas had been cornered by sustained Israeli pressure, leaving the group with no choice but to agree.

“I don’t think we get to this place without Prime Minister Netanyahu playing it out,” Witkoff said.

Kushner said bringing home the hostages has long been one of President Trump’s top priorities and credited the Israeli Defense Forces for their bravery and success in operations across Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. He also cited Netanyahu’s discipline during the negotiations, saying his alignment with Trump on the final outcome was key to achieving the deal.

“Between you and President Trump, you had a lot of alignment on what the end stage should be,” Kushner said.

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

7 hour(s) ago

Countdown begins as Israel, Hamas move to implement Phase 1 of Trump peace deal

Israeli soldiers inspect the burnt cars of festival-goers at the site of an attack on the Nova Festival by Hamas gunmen from Gaza, near Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Oct. 13, 2023. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)

With Israel’s approval of Phase 1 of President Donald Trump’s peace plan, the countdown is underway for the release of hostages.

The Israel Defense Forces have 24 hours to pull back to the agreed line inside Gaza, retaining control of about 53% of the territory until Phase 2 begins.

After the 24-hour period, Hamas will have 72 hours to release all remaining hostages — 20 alive and 28 deceased — meaning all are expected to be freed by Tuesday.

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

8 hour(s) ago

US to utilize troops in Middle East to help monitor Gaza ceasefire deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the cabinet meeting with U.S. President’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner on Oct. 9, 2025. (Maayan Toaf / GPO)

The U.S. plans utilize up to 200 troops already in theMiddle East to help support and monitor the ceasefire deal in Gaza as part of a team involving various nations, a senior official told Fox News.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “Up to 200 U.S. personnel, who are already stationed at CENTCOM, will be tasked with monitoring the peace agreement in Israel, and they will work with other international forces on the ground.”

Centcom Admiral Bradley Cooper will oversee the operation to ensure there are no violations, and the team will likely consist of Egyptian, Qatari and other armed forces in the region.

The officials also wanted to emphasize that none of the U.S. troops are expected to go into Gaza. Instead, the troops are going to be located in Israel to help create a Joint Control Center. 

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

BREAKING NEWS8 hour(s) ago

Israeli cabinet votes to accept first phase of Trump peace plan

Steve Witkoff, Benjamin Netanyahu and Jared Kushner (Maayan Toaf / GPO)

The Israeli cabinet voted on Thursday night to accept the first phase of President Donald Trump’s peace deal.

The deal would mean all Israeli hostages will be released, and fighting between Israel and Hamas will come to a stop.

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

9 hour(s) ago

Jerusalem Post cover features Trump, hostages in ‘He’s bringing them home’ tribute

The Jerusalem Post’s cover on Friday will show a silhouette of President Donald Trump, with the headline, “HE’S BRINGING THEM HOME.”

Within the silhouette, the publication put images of the Israeli hostages that are expected to be released as part of a deal reached overnight that could lead to peace in the Middle East.

Under the image is a quote from former Prime Minister Golda Meir.

“Perhaps it is early yet to say ‘in the aftermath of the war,’ for we are actually living under a cease-fire in a war which has not yet ended,” Meir is quoted as saying on Nov. 13, 1973.

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

10 hour(s) ago

Israeli speaker hails Trump as ‘The Peace President,’ invites him to address Knesset

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hands over a letter to US President Donald Trump as they meets at the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 7, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Knesset Speaker MK Amir Ohana lauded President Donald Trump for securing the release of Israeli hostages and brokering a historic regional peace deal, inviting him to deliver an address before Israel’s parliament — the first by a sitting U.S. president in nearly two decades.

“This victory would not have been possible without the sacrifice of our brave soldiers, the resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the close partnership you have forged with him – and with the one and only Jewish State – throughout your life,” Ohana wrote to Trump. “From recognizing Jerusalem as our eternal capital and moving the American Embassy there, to affirming our sovereignty over the Golan Heights, from creating the historic Abraham Accords to eliminating Iran’s nuclear sites, and now to this momentous day: you have demonstrated that under your leadership, America is not only a military superpower but a moral superpower as well – and that peace comes through strength.

“The people of Israel regard you as the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish nation in modern history,” Ohana continued. “It is therefore my profound honor and privilege to officially invite you to deliver a formal address to the nation before the Knesset.

“Your speech would be the first by a sitting U.S. President since President George W. Bush’s visit in 2008 – a deeply meaningful gesture of our eternal gratitude for your once-in-a-century leadership and for the unbreakable alliance between the State of Israel and the United States of America,” Ohana added. “Israel awaits The Peace President.”

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

10 hour(s) ago

Trump leveraged regional pressure and diplomacy to clinch Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 29, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

In the days leading up to the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, President Donald Trumpcombined regional pressure, public messaging, and trusted backchannel diplomacy to turn a faltering negotiation into a breakthrough.

A senior White House official told Fox News that Trump’s good relations with Qataris were a baseline factor in reaching a deal, but the Israeli strikes in Doha generated a lot of pressure on Hamas from Arab States.

Trump’s post on Truth Social on Sunday, giving Hamas a deadline to agree or face devastation was taken seriously and helped turn things around, the official explained. Before the post, the Trump administration was hearing that Hamas would reject the deal and would put efforts back to the 10-yard line, “like we had been so many times.”

Witkoff reportedly said the unrest from the Doha strikes could be used for good because the Arab world did not want the unrest to spill into a regional conflict affecting their countries, nor did they want Iran to get involved.

Trump also reportedly used the strikes to push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into compliance.

Additionally, Trump used public opinion on Israel and mounting political pressure to demonstrate Israelis want the war to end, telling Netanyahu, “ending the war is a win for you.”

The official noted that having Jared Kushner was a huge benefit because he brought an additional level of trust.

Kushner, the official added, has good credibility with Israelis and the Arab world, dating back to the Abraham Accords. At points during negotiations, Kushner worked with Israel and Hamas to craft statements to ensure things did not go sideways, knowing both sides have to appease their bases but keep an open dialogue.

Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich contributed to this report.

Posted by Greg Wehner Share

10 hour(s) ago

IDF: Hamas cell posing immediate threat to troops struck in northern Gaza

An Israeli flag. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Fighting continues to occur in Gaza, despite Israel and Hamas striking a deal to end the war and have all hostages returned.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Thursday evening that its troops struck a Hamas terrorist cell in the northern Gaza Strip that was operating within close proximity to IDF troops.

The IDF said the Hamas terrorists posed an immediate threat to the troops operating in the area.

Palestinian reports say four people were killed and dozens of others are still buried under the rubble.

Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.

Posted by Greg Wehner