“This is a GREAT day for the Arab and Muslim world, for Israel, for all surrounding nations and for the United States of America,” President Trump wrote on his Truth social media platform on Wednesday evening, announcing the deal between Israel and Hamas.
Two regional sources told CBS News that there was agreement in principle by all parties on the release of the hostages, but procedural issues remained. Once these details are processed, it will be 48 hours before any release begins, the sources said.
Mr. Trump, in an interview Wednesday evening with Fox News host Sean Hannity, said the hostages would “probably” be released Monday US time, and that the exchange would include the release of the bodies of the deceased hostages still held by Hamas.
Mr. Trump told Hannity that other parts of the 20-point Israel-Hamas deal peace plan he presented last week – including a committee responsible for overseeing governance in Gaza – could be presented, without giving a timetable.
“I think you’re going to see people getting along and Gaza rebuilding itself,” the president said. “People are going to be taken care of. It’s going to be a different world.”
Majed al-Ansari, advisor to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, also confirmed the deal on Wednesday, writing on