‘BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS’: Trump secures peace deal to bring hostages home

Speaking on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Trump said the first group of hostages, including the remains of those killed, would “probably be released on Monday.”

“They are in a terrible situation there, deep in the earth,” Trump said, referring to Hamas’s tunnel network beneath Gaza. “As we speak, so much is happening to get the hostages freed. We think they will all be coming back on Monday… and that will include the bodies of the dead.”

Trump credited “tremendous help” from his administration, naming Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, JD Vance, and others, for securing the breakthrough. “The whole world came together… countries you wouldn’t even think of have signed on,” he said. “This is more than Gaza. This is peace in the Middle East.”

Trump got word that a deal was imminent while hosting a roundtable at the White House with reporters recounting their work documenting leftist, Antifa violence across the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the agreement as “a great day for Israel” and confirmed he will convene his cabinet to approve it.

“With God’s help, we will bring them all home,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “I thank the heroic soldiers of the IDF and our security forces; thanks to their courage and sacrifice, we have reached this day. I thank from the bottom of my heart President Trump and his team for their dedication to this sacred mission.”

Following the announcement, Netanyahu held what his office described as an “emotional and warm” phone call with Trump, during which he invited the U.S. president to address Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. “The two congratulated one another on the historic achievement,” Netanyahu’s office said, adding that both leaders agreed to “continue their close cooperation.”

Hamas issued a statement acknowledging the agreement, saying it “provides for an end to the war in Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupation forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange.” The terror organization thanked President Trump for “his efforts to bring about a final end to the war,” while warning Israel to uphold its commitments.

“We call on President Trump and all guarantor nations to ensure the occupation government fully implements the agreement,” Hamas said.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr. Majed al-Ansari confirmed that mediators “reached agreement on all terms and mechanisms” for implementing the first phase, which includes halting the war, releasing detainees, and allowing aid into Gaza.

Israeli officials say living hostages will be released within 72 hours, while the remains of deceased captives will follow later. The agreement’s broader terms, including Hamas’s disarmament and Gaza’s reconstruction, will unfold in subsequent phases.

In follow-up interviews with Reuters and Israel’s Channel 12, Trump called the deal “a wonderful day for everybody” and confirmed he may visit Israel soon to deliver a speech at the Knesset.

“They want me to give a speech at the Knesset and I will definitely do that if they want me to,” Trump said. “It is a great day for Israel and for the world.”

The deal comes two years after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis. Trump’s agreement requires Hamas to disarm and Israel to halt operations in Gaza, while massive humanitarian and reconstruction efforts begin under international supervision.

Trump summed up the breakthrough on Truth Social: “All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”