Sharm el-Sheik, Sinai, Egypt. The Gaza agreement has been signed. Khalil al-Hayya, a prominent Hamas figure, claims to have received assurances from the United States and mediators involved in the peace talks with Israel that “the war is completely over.” In his statement, Hayya states that the agreement includes a “permanent ceasefire,” the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the reopening of the Rafah crossing. Hayya also outlines the “prisoner exchange” envisaged in the agreement, which, he says, will see the release of 250 life-sentenced prisoners and 1,700 Gazan detainees arrested after October 7, along with all women and children. US President Donald Trump, who spearheaded the peace plan, announces that the first phase of the agreement to end the war includes the release of 20 live hostages within four days. “We’ve ended the war in Gaza, and I think it will be a lasting peace,” said Donald Trump, chairing a cabinet meeting at the White House.
