Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, including a pause to fighting and the release all remaining hostages.
The first stage of the agreement between the two sides will come into effect on Thursday evening after the deal is ratified by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The US president hailed the “historic and unprecedented event” in an announcement on Truth Social, adding that it was the first step towards peace in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer hailed the announcement as a "moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world”.
"This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years,” the Prime Minister said.
The "tireless diplomatic efforts" of the US, as well as Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, have been crucial in moving towards peace, he added.
Sir Keir added: "This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan."
As part of the deal, the Israel Defence Forces will withdraw its troops to an “agreed-upon line”.
The deal, which follows days of high-level negotiations in Egypt, will allow for the entry of aid into Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas and Qatari officials said in separate statements.
The news comes just two days after the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 massacre, the attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel which sparked the current conflict.
“They’re coming home.”
— Israel News Pulse (@israelnewspulse) October 8, 2025
Emily Damari and Romi Gonen. pic.twitter.com/8a9vSWtyTk
Nearly 1,200 people were killed during the incursion, and around 250 people were taken as hostages into the besieged palestinian territory.
Israel's military campaign, launched in retaliation, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, has devastated Gaza and revealed fault lines in global politics.
Hamas is planning to release the 20 living hostages it still has in captivity this weekend, according to reports.
In exchange, Israel will free around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners it has in captivity.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli who was held captive by Hamas for more than a year before being released in January, posted a video to her Instagram celebrating the news with friends, which included fellow former hostage Romi Gonen.
The group can be seen hugging each other and dancing around a room as they toast "L'chaim", meaning "to life".
Eli Sharabi, a freed hostage whose wife and two daughters were killed during Hamas' attack, wrote on social media: "Great joy, can't wait to see everyone home."
Celebrations have started in Gaza after the announcement of a peace deal. pic.twitter.com/1x9EnOmMuu
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 8, 2025
Vicky Cohen, the mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, wrote on X: "My child, you are coming home."
Nimrod's father, Yehuda Cohen, spoke at the Israeli Embassy in London in March urging Mr Netanyahu to move a ceasefire deal forward.
There were also scenes of celebration in Gaza that were shared online.
Early on Thursday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal a "diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel".
He wrote on X: "From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved.
"Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point.
"I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages."
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, said he hoped that the deal “would be a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution”, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres urged all parties to obey the terms of the deal as he said the UN would support its "full implementation".
Speaking on Fox News in the US on Thursday, Trump said hostages would "probably" start being released on Monday.
"The whole world came together, to be honest. The world has come together around this deal," Trump said.
"It's been really an amazing period of time. So great for Israel, so great for Muslims and the Arab countries.
"You'll see people getting along and Gaza will be rebuilt."
He continued: "Gaza, we believe is going to be a much safer place and it's going to be a place that reconstructs and other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous amounts of wealth, and they want to see that happen.
"I'm very confident there'll be peace in the Middle East."
Trump announced Hamas and Israel had come to terms on his social media platform Truth Social.
He said: "This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.
"All Parties will be treated fairly!"
