President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that both Israel and Hamas had "signed off" on the first phase of a peace plan in Gaza following negotiations in the Egyptian Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh. A ceasefire then came into effect on Friday.
Phase one of the deal will see all remaining hostages returned from Gaza, a number of Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails and the partial withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces inside the strip.
Netanyahu says he will convene government Thursday to ratify ceasefire deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it a "great day for Israel," said he will convene the Israeli government Thursday to "ratify" the ceasefire agreement and "bring all of our hostages home."
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 80th session of the UNâs General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters on September 26, 2025 in New York City. World leaders convened for the 80th Session of UNGA, with this yearâs theme for the annual global meeting being âBetter together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.â (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
In a statement originally in Hebrew, Netanyahu thanked President Donald Trump for his "commitment to the sacred mission of freeing" the hostages.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
Oct 08, 2025, 7:51 PM EDT
Netanyahu, Trump congratulate each other for 'historic achievement' during phone call
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump had a "very moving and warm conversation," and the two "congratulated each other on the historic achievement," over the phone, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, originally in Hebrew.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with President Donald Trump after a news conference in the State Dining Room of the White House, Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP
Netanyahu invited Trump to address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Netanyahu’s office said in the statement.
"The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for all his efforts and his global leadership," the statement added.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
Oct 08, 2025, 7:51 PM EDT
Hamas releases statement after agreeing to peace plan
In a statement following the announcement that both Israel and Hamas had agreed to the U.S.-brokered peace plan, Hamas said it is "stipulating an end to the war on Gaza."
Hamas called for President Donald Trump, as well as various Arab, Islamic and international parties, to "compel" Israel to "fully implement the agreement's requirements," including the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the entry of aid and a prisoner exchange.
Hamas thanked all mediators involved, including Trump, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.
-ABC News' Diaa Ostaz
Oct 08, 2025, 7:36 PM EDT
Hostage families respond to announcement of 1st phase of ceasefire deal
The group representing families of those held by Hamas since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks said they are receiving the news of the agreement "with excitement, anticipation and apprehension."
The Families' Headquarters for the Return of the Abductees said there are 48 hostages still held by Hamas, and 20 of them are still believed to be alive.
People embrace in front of images of the lost and kidnapped at the site of the Nova Festival to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks, October 7, 2025 in Re'im, Israel.
Chris Mcgrath/Getty Images
"The Families' Headquarters welcomes the signing of the agreement designed to return all abductees home - the living for rehabilitation among their families and the fallen for a proper burial in their country," the statement said. "This is important and significant progress on the path to returning all of them, but our struggle is not over and will not end until the last abductee returns."
The statement called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to "convene and approve the agreement immediately. Any delay could exact a heavy price from the abductees and the soldiers. We are convinced that the Prime Minister will ensure an absolute majority for the implementation of the agreement reached."
Hostage families protest for the implementation of a U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza and release all hostages, near the U.S. consulate in Tel Aviv on Sept. September 29, 2025.
Shir Torem/Reuters
The group expressed "deep gratitude" to President Donald Trump "for the leadership and determination that led to a historic breakthrough: an end to the war and a comprehensive agreement to return all abductees."
