Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The first moments before US President Donald Trump announced reaching an agreement on the first phase of the ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip documented US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sending a short message to Trump.
Then he approached and whispered brief words in his ear.
While the US President was in the midst of a press conference at the White House.
Trump then announced that he had been informed that an agreement had been reached “very soon”.
It later emerged that the handwritten memo, which Rubio handed over to Trump, was seen by international news agency photographers present in the room. The memo stated that the agreement was “very close”. Furthermore, it added, “We need your approval to place a post on Truth Social soon. This is so that you can announce the deal first”.
Note that the meeting held by Trump at the White House was devoted to a completely different topic from the war file. This war has been going on in the Palestinian Strip for two years.
But Rubio unexpectedly joined him and handed the US president this note.
Prisoners return on Monday
Trump later expressed in a television interview with Fox News his belief that the prisoners detained in Gaza “will return to Israel next Monday”.
“I think the hostages will return on Monday and that will include the bodies of the dead,” he said. He noted that of the 251 people captured during the October 7, 2023, attack launched by Hamas, 47 are still being held in the Strip. This includes 25 who the Israeli army says have died.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir issued directives to his forces. The forces are to prepare “with a defensive force and prepare for every scenario”.
He also ordered readiness to lead the upcoming operation to return prisoners “sensitively and professionally”.
2000 Palestinian prisoners
For its part, Hamas also confirmed that an agreement had been reached.
She explained that 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released during the first phase of the plan.
It is noteworthy that the White House revealed Trump’s plan regarding Gaza late last September.
He pointed out that it consists of 20 items.
It stipulated the exchange of prisoners between Israel and Hamas. The agreement also included the entry of aid into the Palestinian Strip after two years of war.
It also stipulated a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the Strip. Additionally, it included the establishment of a transitional council to administer Gaza, without Hamas’ participation.
