Netanyahu hails ‘critical turning point’ as Hamas agrees to release hostages

Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed “a critical turning point” in the Gaza war after Israel and Hamas signed off the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan.

The Israeli prime minister said Wednesday night’s breakthrough meant all remaining 48 hostages held by the militant group, 20 of whom are thought to still be alive, would be returned.

Gaza war latest: Celebrations as Trump announces peace deal

“Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we’ve reached this critical turning point,” he added.

Sir Keir Starmer, who is currently on a trip to India, called the deal a “moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world.” He added: “This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay”.

In Gaza and Israel, people celebrated the major breakthrough which has the potential to end the two-year-old war. In Khan Younis, people took to the streets – dancing and clapping.

Families of hostages and their supporters gathered in the early hours in Tel Aviv’s hostages square and hugged and cheered – some tearful at the prospect of their loved ones being released.

The American flag was waved in the air in celebration at the US president’s intervention, with people also chanting “Nobel prize to Trump”.

The White House said it was down to the Israeli security cabinet to sign off the deal today, which will bring a ceasefire into force and allow for an exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Israel must not ‘evade or delay’

Hamas urged Mr Trump not to let Israel “evade or delay” the deal, as it said it hoped it would lead to the “complete withdrawal” of the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Defence Forces said it was “ready for any scenario” and any movement “will be carried out in accordance with the directives” of its government. In a statement, it added it is prepared to “lead the operation” for the hostages’ return.

It comes after the US president announced the two sides had agreed to the first phase of his plan.

‘A great day for the world’

In a Truth Social post just before midnight UK time, he said: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan.”

It means all the hostages will be released, he said, and Israel will withdraw its troops “to an agreed upon line”.

He thanked mediators for their part in negotiations in Egypt this week, including those from Qatar and Turkey. The delegates were pictured hugging and celebrating as the deal was announced.

He later told Reuters it was a “great day for the world”, and told Fox News the hostages could be released on Monday.

Mr Trump had teased an imminent announcement earlier on Wednesday evening – and revealed he may travel to the Middle East, and perhaps even Gaza, as soon as this weekend.

During an event at the White House, the US secretary of state Marco Rubio handed Mr Trump a note, which the US president read and then said: “I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East, and they’re going to need me pretty quickly.”

The note had the two words “very close” underlined and asked the US president to approve a post on his Truth Social website “soon so you can announce deal first”.

Sources familiar with the talks had told Sky News lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim a deal could be signed within 24 to 36 hours.

Mr Trump’s plan called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the 48 hostages still held in Gaza from the 7 October 2023 attack that sparked the beginning of the war.

Hamas was seeking guarantees from mediators Israel will not resume its military campaign in Gaza after the militant group releases all the remaining Israeli hostages.

Other elements of the deal include a requirement that Hamas disarm, and the creation of an international body to run the enclave once Hamas steps down – led by Mr Trump, with a role for Sir Tony Blair.

Starmer: ‘Unimaginable suffering’ in Gaza

The British prime minister responded to the agreement by paying tribute to the hostages, their families, as well as civilians in Gaza “who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years”.

“This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan.”

Ahead of Mr Trump’s announcement, Israel had reduced its military campaign in Gaza at his request, but had not stopped conducting strikes altogether.

Medical authorities in Gaza reported eight people had been killed by Israeli strikes in the last 24 hours – the lowest number for weeks.

Over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but says around half were women and children.