1:29President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a discussion on antifa in the State Dining Room at the White House, Oct. 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C.Evan Vucci/AP
President Donald Trump stated Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have consented to the opening stage of a peace accord following two years of devastating conflict in the Middle East.
Set to commence shortly with a trade of Israeli captives for Palestinian detainees and the gradual departure of Israeli soldiers from Gaza, the advancement would represent a substantial diplomatic triumph for Trump following a series of strained discussions.
"There’s little doubt that should this proceed favorably, if we witness those remaining captives liberated and Israel commence its pullback, it’s an extraordinary feat and President Trump undeniably merits recognition for his contribution," ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz expressed on "Good Morning America" on Thursday.
"He accomplished this via diplomacy, leverage, and the sheer influence of his character and tenacity," Raddatz went on. "He deployed negotiators repeatedly, issued warnings as recently as the past few days to Hamas, reiterating that if they failed to endorse the agreement 'All Hell would erupt,' pointing to the bombardment of Iran as a clear demonstration. Nevertheless, perhaps most significantly, he exerted pressure on [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu in a manner unmatched by his forerunners and contemporaries."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confers with President Donald Trump during a Discussion on Antifa in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, October 8, 2025.Francis Chung/EPA/Shutterstock
Trump, via a social media message, described the accord between Israel and Hamas on the initial stage as the "first strides towards a Robust, Lasting, and Eternal Peace" and conveyed his appreciation to negotiators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their involvement in facilitating an arrangement.
Global figures celebrated the occurrence, with numerous lauding Trump for his hands-on participation.
Netanyahu stated he will convene his administration on Thursday to sanction the understanding. Hamas, through an official pronouncement, conveyed the agreement stipulated "the cessation of hostilities on Gaza," the departure of Israeli armed forces from the Gaza Strip, the access of aid into Gaza, and a swap of prisoners.
Nonetheless, numerous inquiries persist regarding the subsequent steps and the potential for achieving enduring tranquility.
"Throughout this endeavor, President Trump consistently maintained his backing for Israel, yet when Netanyahu disregarded much of what Trump was striving to attain by prolonging bombardments over recent months, Trump decisively intervened with Netanyahu, essentially declaring enough is enough," ABC's Raddatz stated. "Trump had additionally informed Netanyahu about initiating indirect negotiations with the Iranians, which imposed additional strain on the Israeli prime minister."
"Evidently, the approaching days will ascertain whether the remainder of the strategy materializes, but should those captives gain release, which would strip Hamas of their principal negotiating asset, this signifies a pivotal juncture for Donald Trump," she remarked.
Trump declared on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had consented to the initial phase of the agreement, wherein all remaining captives — both alive and deceased — will be freed from Gaza in return for an as-yet unspecified number of Palestinians incarcerated within Israeli facilities. It is thought that approximately 2,000 detainees are under consideration for liberation.
Aggressive and lethal Israeli assaults on Gaza City — the most populous urban zone within the Gaza Strip — and elsewhere throughout the Palestinian territory persisted on Thursday.
Exceeding 67,000 Palestinians have perished in the Israel-Hamas war, the Hamas-administrated Gaza Health Ministry communicated in a statement Thursday. Over 1,200 individuals met their end in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, coinciding with a surprise offensive launched by Hamas, with nearly 250 individuals abducted, according to Israeli authorities.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
