BREAKING: Israel, Hamas Agree to a Deal to Pause the Fighting in Gaza [Trump responds]

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From the Wall Street Journal: Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal to pause their fighting in the Gaza Strip, Arab mediators said, opening a pathway to end a 15-month war that has laid waste to the enclave, threatened to spark a regional conflict, and roiled politics in the West.

The deal, which is expected to be implemented in three phases, will begin with an exchange of some of the hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, according to Arab officials who are helping to mediate the talks.

Negotiators—including Steve Witkoff, President-elect Donald Trump’s designated Middle East envoy, along with officials from the U.S., Israel and Arab countries—reconvened at midday local time in Doha, Qatar, to finalize the draft, the Arab officials said.

An agreement came about after Hamas returned to the negotiations with Israel on Wednesday. The militant group had gone quiet a day earlier without explanation, stalling efforts to wrap up an agreement, the officials said.

The Israel’s cabinet was reportedly scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss the deal if signed. Any deal would still need to be approved by Israel’s security cabinet and full government, the WSJ explained.

In the first phase of the deal, Hamas would release 33 hostages, including women, children, people with severe injuries and those above the age of 50, as well as some dead bodies.  Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst noted that it is unknown which hostages will be released dead, and which ones will still be alive.

In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel will be released.  Yingst warned that these include terrorists and murderers.

According to the report, after 16 days, the parties will then begin debating the second and third phases of the plan, which would include a potential permanent halt in fighting, the release of all the hostages and eventually a plan to rebuild Gaza.

President-elect Donald Trump had warned that if the hostages are not released prior to his inauguration, there would be “hell to pay.”

Trump reacted to the news of a peace deal on Truth Social, writing, “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”

In another post, Trump added:

This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.

With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!

We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!

Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley wrote, “A true blessing to have an Israel Hamas ceasefire that allows the hostages to finally come home. Israel is giving up an enormous amount of security by pulling back from borders and releasing Palestinian prisoners. A brutal reality to release violent Palestinian prisoners who committed crimes for people who were innocent and taken hostage.”

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