Trump Announces Gaza Peace Plan, Citing Hostage Release and Israeli Withdrawal
PALM BEACH, Fla. – Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social at 6:51 p.m. today that Israel and Hamas have “signed off on the first phase of our Peace Plan,” promising the imminent release of all hostages and an Israeli troop withdrawal “to an agreed upon line.” The declaration followed a day of unusual public signaling during an event with social media influencers, where Trump initially indicated a planned trip to the Middle East “toward the end of the week,” potentially including visits to Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
The agreement, facilitated with mediation from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, marks a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict. Trump hailed it as “a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America,” and declared, “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” The details of the “agreed upon line” for Israeli withdrawal and the specifics of the hostage release were not immediately available.
The announcement unfolded amidst a somewhat chaotic scene at Trump’s mar-a-Lago resort. According to reports, Senator Marco Rubio passed Trump a note during the event, prompting initial discussion of a departure for the Middle East. Despite receiving the note, Trump continued engaging with attendees and the media for nearly ten minutes, during which Secretary of State antony Blinken became visibly anxious.
Trump later stated, “I have to go now to try and solve some problems in the Middle East – although I’m very well represented by our secretary of state. He could probably do an even better job than me, but who knows.” He initially suggested Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem remain to field questions, but ultimately continued to answer questions himself before the event concluded.
The timing and manner of the announcement – via a social media post rather than a formal statement - are notable. Trump’s involvement in brokering the deal, and the speed with which it reportedly came together, raises questions about the role of the current governance and the specifics of the agreement. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began after Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel, has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing regional instability. This potential agreement offers a glimmer of hope for de-escalation and the return of hostages, but its long-term success will depend on the full implementation of the plan and the commitment of all parties involved.
