This is the emotional moment Donald Trump told the families of Gaza hostages that their loved ones will be returning home after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a “historic” ceasefire deal.
The US president announced that the two sides will begin releasing hostages and prisoners, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling it a “moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world”.
Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “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.”
Meanwhile, Qatar — which helped broker the deal along with Egypt, the US and Turkey — hailed the news as the “first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war”.
On Wednesday night, Mr Trump spoke to relatives of those imprisoned by Hamas during a phone call with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Among those in attendance at an unspecified location in Washington included Liran Berman, the brother of twins Gali and Ziv Berman, 27, who were among those captured two years ago.
Mr Lutnick asked the families: “You have the best crowd in the world, what do you have to say to President Trump?” To which the group replied: “Thank you!”
Another person told Mr Trump: “We know you've done so much for us since you became the president and even before that and we trust you'll fulfill the mission.”
He praised Mr Trump before repeating the Republican’s line from the announcement back to him: “Blessed be the peacemakers.”
It is believed that 48 hostages remain in the besiged Palestinian territory, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
According to Gaza health officials, at least 60,000 people have been killed since Israel’s military campaign against Hamas commenced following the October 7, 2023 massacre, which killed 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 hostages.
