Israel Agrees To Gaza Withdrawal Line; Ceasefire Hinges On Hamas Nod, Says Trump

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Israel has agreed to an “initial withdrawal line” for Gaza, a crucial step in his peace plan that now puts the onus on Hamas to trigger an immediate ceasefire. In a social media post, Trump stated that once Hamas confirms its acceptance of this line, a ceasefire will take effect instantly, and a prisoner-hostage exchange will commence.Detailing the breakthrough on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas.

When Hamas confirms, the ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the hostages and prisoner exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal.” He urged Hamas to “move quickly” to accept the deal, warning that he would not tolerate “any delay” and that otherwise, “all bets will be off.”The announcement is the latest development in a whirlwind of diplomatic activity.

It follows Hamas’s positive response to Trump’s broader 20-point peace proposal, with the group signaling its readiness to release hostages and hand over the administration of Gaza to a technocratic body. On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope of announcing the release of all hostages “in the coming days,” indicating cautious optimism.Despite this progress, significant hurdles remain. Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled to begin in Egypt on Monday, but key details of the agreement are still being ironed out.

A major potential sticking point is Netanyahu’s clarification that Israel will not carry out a full withdrawal from Gaza. The success of the next phase will depend on reconciling this position with Hamas’s demands during the upcoming negotiations, which aim to implement Trump’s plan for a phased withdrawal and Hamas’s eventual disarmament.