President Donald Trump on Wednesday night announced a breakthrough in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, setting into motion the first phase of Trump’s peace plan to bring the war in Gaza to an end.
After more than a week of pressuring both Israel and Hamas to come to terms with the 20-point plan that the president laid out on September 29, Trump said that both parties have agreed that the remaining hostages taken by Hamas would be returned, while Israeli troops will withdraw from Gaza “to an agreed upon line.”
Now that the first phase of the deal has been reached, here’s what to expect next:
Israeli Government Will Meet To Officially Approve Agreement
The Israeli Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday to approve the agreement. The Trump administration appears confident that Israel will approve the deal quickly. A White House official told The Daily Wire, “Once they vote yes, Israel has to withdraw to the line which should take under 24 hours.” Israeli officials clarified that the ceasefire will not be in effect until the government approves the first phase of the deal. Once that happens, Hamas will have 72 hours to return the remaining hostages, the White House official added.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Wednesday night that the agreement has his “full support.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he “will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home.”
Hamas Releases Hostages On Monday
The White House official said that the Trump administration expects the hostages to “begin getting released on Monday.” It is believed that 20 living hostages remain in Hamas captivity, NBC News reported. The terror group said that it will take them more time to find the 28 bodies of the hostages who died in their custody. The Israel Defense Forces will remain in some parts of Gaza until the hostages are released.
Hospitals in Israel are already preparing to treat the hostages.
“Welcome home!”
Hospitals are preparing for the hostages’ return.
????: @Beilinson_ENG pic.twitter.com/spYruFaxW2
— Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) October 9, 2025
Israel Releases Terrorist Prisoners
In exchange for Hamas releasing the remaining hostages, Israel agreed to set 2,000 prisoners free, including 250 people who were convicted of murder and serving life sentences. On Thursday, a senior Hamas official said that the terror group handed over the list of prisoners who will be freed in the deal.
Trump Travels To Israel
President Trump is expected to travel to Israel and speak to the Knesset on Sunday after an invitation from Netanyahu, Axios reported.
“I will definitely do that if they want me to,” Trump said.
Trump’s visit will likely be short, according to Israeli journalist Amit Segal, who wrote, “The plan is for Trump to arrive on Saturday night between Saturday and Sunday, have a reception at Ben Gurion Airport, visit the Knesset, and take off. No additional ceremonies or meetings.”
More Negotiations?
The first phase of the deal does not include some important points from Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which means that negotiations could continue for some time. One central point that was left out is Trump’s demand that Hamas agree to disarm. The president’s plan calls on the terror group to commit to “peaceful co-existence,” adding that those who decide to disarm would be given amnesty and may live in Gaza, or they will be given safe passage elsewhere.