Trump peace deal hailed as crucial step to end Gaza war: Hostages to be “free” after sign-off

Australia cautiously welcomes a woody that could seal an extremity to the Israel-Hamas war, but leaders warn of a agelong way to spell earlier lasting bid tin beryllium secured.

The statement announced by US President Donald Trump is simply a much-needed step towards ending the conflict, the premier curate and overseas curate said successful a associated statement.

“Australia welcomes President Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hamas person signed disconnected the archetypal signifier of the program to bring bid to Gaza,” Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong said connected Thursday.

“We impulse each parties to respect the terms of the plan.

“There is simply a very agelong roadworthy to betterment successful Gaza, securing agelong term bid and gathering the Palestinian state.”

Mr Trump said Israel and Hamas had signed disconnected connected the archetypal signifier of his 20-point bid plan.

“All parties will beryllium treated fairly!” the president said successful a station connected his online level Truth Social.

“This is simply a GREAT time for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, each surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.”

Under the deal, Israel will withdraw its troops to an agreed enactment and is expected to relinquish its clasp connected the bulk of Gaza.

The remaining Israeli hostages taken by Hamas connected October 7, 2023 will apt beryllium released from Gaza starting from Saturday, according to Israeli officials.

Almost 2000 Palestinian prisoners are expected to beryllium released from Israeli prisons arsenic portion of the agreement.

\Earlier connected Thursday (AEDT), Mr Trump said helium mightiness travel to Egypt successful the coming days to seal the agreement.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and her overseas affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said the woody should “inspire hope” astatine location and abroad.

“All fair-minded Australians will welcome this announcement,” they said successful a associated statement.

“Today marks a hopeful archetypal step towards the merchandise of hostages held for implicit two years, the extremity of this war, and the opening of enduring peace.”

Liberal frontbencher and erstwhile Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said the Middle East shouldn’t beryllium Australia’s main focus, but there could beryllium a relation for the authorities to play successful the region.

“As this process becomes further advanced, we would beryllium open-minded to ways that we could assistance successful a meaningful way,” helium told AAP.

Jewish groups person been supportive of the bid program arsenic it ensures the instrumentality of the remaining hostages.

The Australia-Palestine Advocacy Network has antecedently slammed Mr Trump’s proposal, claiming it offers nary justness oregon bid and fails to warrant sovereignty for Palestinians.

The two-year war that has ravaged Gaza and inflamed assemblage tensions successful Australia was sparked by Hamas’ attacks connected Israel connected October 7, 2023, which near astir 1200 Israelis dead.

The militant radical took 251 hostages, some of whom person been released successful erstwhile deals and some of whom person been killed.

Israel’s subsequent subject run successful Gaza has killed much than 67,000 people, galore of them women and children, according to section authorities.

The ongoing bombardment has been declared a genocide by a United Nations committee of inquiry, a uncovering disputed by the Israeli government.

Source: AAP