Mediators in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas announced early Thursday that both parties had reached an agreement that would lead to ending the war in the Gaza Strip.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed early Thursday that Israel and Hamas had agreed on all terms and mechanisms for implementing the first phase of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which would result in halting the war.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari wrote on his account on the platform “X”: “The mediators announce that tonight an agreement was reached on all terms and mechanisms for implementing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
He added that the agreement “will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of humanitarian aid.”
Details of the agreement are expected to be announced later.
According to sources, Hamas and Israel may officially sign the agreement this Thursday. Israeli media also reported that the signing will take place today, while the prisoner exchange is expected on Saturday or Sunday.
In the same context, CNN reported that the release of Israeli hostages is expected on Saturday or Sunday. The Associated Press cited sources saying that Hamas will release all 20 living hostages over the weekend, while Israeli forces will withdraw from most areas of the Gaza Strip.
An Israeli government spokesperson told Reuters that Israel expects the release of hostages to begin on Saturday, but did not clarify whether all 48 hostages—both living and deceased—would be released at once.
Agence France-Presse quoted a Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations saying the agreement includes Hamas releasing 20 living Israeli hostages in one batch during the first phase of implementation.
Sources within Hamas told the agency that the prisoner exchange “will take place within the first 72 hours” of the agreement’s implementation. According to Hamas sources, the first phase includes “the exchange of living Israeli hostages, the release of 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, 1,700 detainees arrested after October 7, 2023, and a scheduled Israeli withdrawal.”
Meanwhile, President Trump told Fox News that “the release of hostages will take place on Monday, including the deceased.”