First phase of Gaza peace plan agreed

The Palestinian movement Hamas said on Thursday it had reached an agreement to end the war in Gaza following talks.

According to the group, the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners under a deal between Israel and Hamas could take place on October 13.

"Hostages are going to be released. <...> Would be probably Monday," he said, adding that "so much is happening to get the hostages freed."

Trump also noted that the bodies of deceased hostages would be returned.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has hailed the ceasefire announcement as a “momentous opportunity” to establish a “credible political path forward”. According to him, the UN would now “scale up” aid deliveries, as well as recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.