The agreement between Israel and "Hamas" on the first phase of the Gaza peace plan is a major topic in the Western and Middle Eastern press this morning, BTA writes.
The two warring parties reached an agreement last night on the first phase of the deal to end the two-year war in the Gaza Strip, the "Washington Post" reported, citing US President Donald Trump, Israeli leaders and leaders of the Palestinian group. This brings them closer to ending the bloodiest conflict since the creation of the Israeli state, the publication notes.
Trump's announcement came hours after he told reporters that he would soon visit the region to celebrate this "historic event".
The ceasefire agreement and the hostage release deal are intended to bring immediate relief to the starving population in the war-torn enclave by halting hostilities and allowing humanitarian aid.
"Hamas" agreed to release the hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, thereby fulfilling the main demand of the Israeli side for an end to the conflict.
"This means that ALL hostages will be released very soon and Israel will withdraw its troops behind the agreed line as the first step towards a strong, sustainable and lasting peace," Trump wrote on his social network "Truth Social", quoted by the British newspaper "Independent".
The publication specifies that the Palestinian group is expected to release 20 live hostages, while Israel will withdraw its forces from a large part of the territory of the Gaza Strip.
However, the Israeli army warned citizens not to return to the northern part of the enclave, calling it a "dangerous military zone," it adds "Independent".
The release of the hostages held in the enclave, who are believed to be still alive, as well as the handover of the bodies of about 25 dead, is expected to take place by Monday, October 13, the French newspaper "Le Monde" said in its article titled "Donald Trump presents himself as "president of peace" after the agreement between Israel and "Hamas".
The publication notes that the American president also thanked Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in particular for their mediation in the indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian group.
"Le Monde" also quotes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wrote on the social network "Ex" that this is "a diplomatic success and a moral and national victory for the State of Israel".
He is expected to convene a cabinet meeting today to formally approve the terms of the agreement, which include the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment and another 1,700 others detained by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war.
The families of the hostages celebrated the agreement, which will allow the return of their loved ones to their homes after two years of captivity, and published an open letter thanking Trump for his role, the Israeli newspaper "Times of Israel" reports. They requested a meeting with the US president during his likely upcoming visit to the region.
"You brought back to us those we thought we had lost forever", wrote the Forum of Families of Hostages and Disappeared. "You kept your promise, and for that our families will be forever grateful to you", the letter added.
The hostages' relatives suggested that Trump give a speech at the so-called Hostage Square in Tel Aviv - the place where their activist movement was gathering - or meet with them in person.
The US president announced yesterday that he would travel to Egypt on Sunday, where indirect negotiations between Israel and "Hamas" were taking place, and then quickly corrected himself that he would probably leave on Saturday evening, writes the "New York Times". "I'm going to Egypt," he said.
Trump added that he would "do some sightseeing," which seems to mean he could also visit Israel to celebrate the hostages' release, the publication notes.
Asked if he would also visit the ruins of Gaza - a place where his safety would be difficult to ensure - he replied: "I might do that," the New York Times added.
The British newspaper "The Guardian," for its part, quoted Trump as saying that the United States would have a role in rebuilding the Palestinian enclave and in maintaining peace and security there.
"We will be involved in helping them make it a success and helping them keep it peaceful," the president said hours before the agreement was announced. He added that he was "very confident that there will be peace in the Middle East."