(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Israel has agreed to an initial withdrawal line in Gaza, marking a crucial step toward a ceasefire and the start of a planned hostage and prisoner exchange with Hamas, according to reports.

"After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas. When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be immediately effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 year catastrophe," Trump said on Truth Social.

Earlier, Trump called on Hamas to act swiftly in ongoing negotiations regarding hostage releases and peace efforts in Gaza.

"I appreciate that Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the Hostage release and Peace Deal a chance to be completed. Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off," he said on Truth Social.

His comments followed Hamas’ announcement that it is prepared to release all Israeli captives, both alive and deceased, and transfer Gaza’s administration to an independent Palestinian authority made up of technocrats. However, the group emphasized that the enclave’s future and Palestinian rights must be resolved within a wider national framework.

On Friday, Trump set a deadline for Hamas to approve his 20-point plan, giving them until 6 p.m. Washington time (22:00 GMT) on Sunday to respond.

MENAFN05102025000045017281ID1110152250