U.S. President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of a peace plan after receiving a cryptic note from the State Department, according to Truth Social.
Mysterious note arrives at White House
During a White House briefing on Antifa, the Secretary of State handed Trump a brief note. An associate explained it carried “important news” that Trump could not discuss until journalists had left the room. The brief was reportedly delivered by Marco Rubio, who met Trump one moment after the briefing had started.
Trump announces first phase of peace plan
On Truth Social, Trump announced that “Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of our peace plan. This means all hostages will soon be freed and Israel will withdraw troops to the agreed line. This is the first step toward a lasting, permanent, and everlasting peace.” He added that he needed the note’s approval to post the announcement.
Global praise for historic deal
Trump called the moment a “Wonderful day for the Arab and Muslim world” and thanked the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for enabling the historic precedent. He emphasized that “all sides will be treated fairly.” The statement was echoed by his aides on the platform.
Negotiations launch in Egypt
On Monday, Oct. 6, talks between Israel and Hamas began in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Participants included Israeli–Hamas advisers, U.S. Middle East advisor Steve Witkoff, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and high‑ranking mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres welcomed the cease‑fire agreement and urged a durable arms suspension and uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza.