The agreement includes troop withdrawal, prisoner exchange, and the release of Israeli hostages.
The Israeli government has confirmed that it has officially signed the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, as part of a U.S.-backed peace initiative led by former President Donald Trump.
According to a government spokesperson, the signing took place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, following intense negotiations. The ceasefire is expected to take effect within 24 hours once Israel’s security cabinet ratifies the deal. The agreement includes the release of the remaining Israeli hostages - about 20 believed to be alive - in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
However, key issues such as Hamas’s disarmament and the future governance of Gaza were not included in this initial phase and will be addressed in later discussions. Despite the announcement, reports indicate that fighting has continued in parts of Gaza, resulting in further casualties.