In a short video broadcast from the Oval Office and posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that this day is "very special, perhaps unprecedented," stressing that he looks forward to returning the detainees, including those killed, to their families.
"We are very close to achieving peace in the Middle East," the US president added, vowing that his plan for Gaza "ensures that all parties are treated fairly."
Trump thanked Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and many other countries that contributed to the mediation.
On Friday evening, Hamas said in a statement that it had submitted its response to the Trump plan for Gaza to mediators, announcing its agreement to the release of all Israeli prisoners, living and dead.
Hamas also renewed its agreement to hand over control of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independent technocrats, based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support. However, it emphasized that the future of the Gaza Strip and the rights of the people would be discussed within a Palestinian framework.
On September 29, Trump announced a 20-point plan, including the release of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza within 72 hours of Israel's acceptance of the plan, a ceasefire, and the disarmament of Hamas.
During a press conference with Trump at the White House last Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that he "supports the Trump plan," believing it "achieves Israel's goals from the war."
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, leaving 66,288 martyrs and 169,165 wounded, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 457 Palestinians, including 152 children.
