Saturday, March 29, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Israel has agreed to return to a withdrawal line as part of his proposed Gaza peace plan, a development he described as a possible turning point after “3,000 years of destruction.” Speaking on his Truth Social platform late Saturday, Trump said the decision had already been communicated to Hamas, and once the group confirms, a ceasefire will immediately take effect.
According to Trump, the plan not only includes a truce but also provides for the exchange of hostages and prisoners. He added that this would be the first step toward preparing conditions for a larger, phased withdrawal, which he believes could bring an end to a long cycle of conflict in the region.
“Following negotiations, Israel has agreed to a withdrawal line. We have shown this line to Hamas, and once they confirm, a ceasefire will immediately begin,” Trump wrote. “Hostage and prisoner exchanges will follow, and then we will prepare the next stage of withdrawal. This will bring us closer to ending 3,000 years of destruction.”
Just a day earlier, Trump had warned Gaza’s leadership to accept the proposal or face “serious consequences.” Within hours, Hamas reportedly agreed to most of the terms, objecting only to a few points.
The U.S. president thanked all countries involved in shaping the proposal and urged Israel to halt its bombardment of Gaza to ensure the safe release of hostages. On Saturday, Trump praised Israel for temporarily suspending its military operations, calling it a step toward finalizing the peace agreement.
However, Trump also warned Hamas against delaying:
“Hamas must act quickly, or all hopes will be shattered. I will not tolerate delays. Let’s complete this deal as soon as possible. Everyone will be treated fairly.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already expressed support for Trump’s plan, stating that he expects announcements on hostage releases in the coming days. Indirect talks between Hamas and mediators are scheduled to take place in Egypt on Monday to discuss the broader roadmap for ending the war.
While world leaders have cautiously welcomed Trump’s proposal, not all responses have been positive. Hezbollah criticized the plan as “dangerous” for the Palestinian people, claiming it effectively grants Israel objectives it failed to achieve through military campaigns and widespread devastation in Gaza.
For now, the world watches closely as both Israel and Hamas weigh the next steps that could either mark the beginning of peace or another collapse of fragile hopes in the Middle East.
