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23:18 GMT
WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- A deal calling for Israel to partially withdraw from Gaza and for Hamas to release the remaining hostages has been reached, US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday.
The breakthrough comes two years after Hamas' October 7 attack, with Gaza almost entirely destroyed and more than 67,000 Palestinians killed, according to the Gaza health ministry.
"I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. 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," Trump wrote on Truth Social."
Negotiations to finalize the deal took place in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving on Wednesday morning to represent the US
Negotiators from Israel and Hamas and mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye also participated. The deal is based on the 20-point plan Trump announced last week, with thorny issues such as the process for disarming Hamas and the future governing structure of Gaza still need to be negotiated. (end)
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