JOY erupted across Israel and Gaza as a historic deal to free hostages and stop the war was sealed.

Peacemaker Donald Trump said 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 more remaining in the Hamas terror stronghold should be returned by Monday.

Doug Seeburg

A woman was seen holding ‘I love Trump’ banners[/caption]

Doug Seeburg

Happy Israelis were seen hugging after Trump’s announcement[/caption]

Doug Seeburg

The world breathed a sigh of relief when Trump announced the peace deal[/caption]

And the bloodbath war in Gaza – which Hamas claims has killed 67,000 Palestinians since the October 7 attacks – will finally end.

Talks on both sides were continuing on Thursday amid anxiety that the fragile truce framework could still fall apart.

But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a meeting of ministers to ratify the deal amid soaring hopes of a full ceasefire in the coming hours.

Once the guns fall silent, Hamas will be given 72 hours to free all Israeli hostages, alive and dead – which is likely to happen on Sunday or Monday.

Israel will then free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7 – and up to 600 trucks-a-day will flood the blitzed strip with aid.

The next phase of the deal could then see a new “Board of Peace” run by ex-UK PM Tony Blair take control of Gaza before handing the enclave back to peace-loving Palestinians.

Jubilant scenes of celebration broke out as news first broke that Hamas had agreed to the peace deal after Trump was passed a note on live TV.

The US president was hosting a roundtable event with conservative influencers at the White House when his Secretary of State Marco Rubio was seen trying to catch his eye.

Moments later Rubio handed over a note and Trump announced: “I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we’re very close to a deal on the Middle East, and they’re gonna need me pretty quickly,”

Soon after, on the Truth Social site, Trump said: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan.

“All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a great day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.

“We thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.

“Blessed are the peacemakers.”

The US president is expected to fly to the Middle East to seal his deal over the weekend and said he may even go to Gaza.

He added that fighting would stop “very soon” as Israeli troops begin withdrawing, taking the first steps to a “strong, durable, and everlasting peace.”

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What we know so far…

• Trump announced a historic agreement was reached towards ending the war in Gaza
• Sir Keir Starmer said it was a ‘moment of profound relief’
• Celebrations erupted on the streets of Israel and Gaza after the deal was announced
• Israeli government will convene today to formally approve the peace plan
• IDF is expected to withdraw its soldiers in less than 24 hours
• Hamas is expected to begin releasing all hostages over the weekend

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Jubilant Trump – vying for the Nobel Peace Prize due to be announced later this week – later made a speakerphone call to grateful hostage families.

Relatives cheered and thanked him while gathered around a phone as he pledged their loved ones would be home “on Monday.”

Jubilant scenes erupted in Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv soon after as sombre “Bring Them Home” vigils were replaced by wild chanting and jigs of joy.

US stars and stripes banners were flown alongside Israeli flags while one woman paraded in all-American garb with an “I love Trump” banner.

Rebecca Bohbot, wife of father-of-one Elkana, 36, who is believed to be among the 20 Israelis still alive in Gaza beamed: “For two years I have been fighting for the life of my man.

Doug Seeburg

People celebrating the news that a peace deal has been signed[/caption]

“This is the moment that a little boy will return to hug his father, a moment when my family comes back to life.”

Silvia Cunio, mother of hostage David, 34, sobbed after Trump’s address: “I dream of the hugs, the kisses. 

“I thank everyone for the warm embrace these past two years — it gave me the strength to keep going.”

David’s wife Sharon posted a picture of the couple with their two girls, writing: “Emma and Yulie, dad is coming home.”

Danny Miran, father of hostage Omri Miran, 48, said he was “smiling from ear to ear, but with tears of joy.” 

He added, “My two eldest granddaughters came over, and we danced together in the hallway. I’ve been waiting more than two years for this moment.”

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, 24, shared an emotional message on social media, saying, “I have prayed for these tears – Matan is coming home.”

Israeli medical teams were on standby to receive living hostages amid fears many will be seriously ill and traumatised after two years in Hamas hell.

And families of all of those hoping to hug loved ones and rebuild their shattered lives, backed by medical care and counselling likely to take years. 

Merav Gilboa-Dalal, mother of 24-year-old hostage Guy, said, “The main thing is that my son should come back healthy and on his own two feet. That’s what I wish for all of us.”

British hostage Emily Damari, 29, who was freed after 471 days in Gaza was also seen hugging Israeli pals as news of the breakthrough broke.

Hostage supporter Lee Zedik, 49, from Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, said as she danced in the square: “It’s for all of our brothers and sisters. 

“They’re coming home to Israel after unimaginable suffering. We have wanted them back for so long and we are happy.

“We’re singing out of pure joy and happiness – we’re singing for our community and for peace.”

“This is what peace and happiness looks like.”

Israeli soldier’s wife Merav (pic) , 39, also from Ramat Gan, said: “I am so happy, along with everybody else that this looks like the war is over.

“My husband has 100 soldiers serving under him in Gaza and I worry for them all.

“I will hopefully no longer have to worry about whether he is safe or in danger.”

The outpouring of joy in Hostage Square was tinged with sadness for those preparing to receive the bodies of their loved ones.

Hamas claimed to have lost track of up to 15 of the bodies in the Gaza war zone – leaving Israeli families unsure whether they will be able to bury their dead.

Rotem Cooper, 59, who learned his 85-year-old father Amiram had died in captivity last June told The Sun: “Receiving my father’s both will give us some kind of closure.

“But if this deal had been done sooner he might still be alive today.

“No politician should get points for bringing my father’s body home in a bag.

“The priority should always have been to bring them all home alive and we now have a long list of funerals to get through. 

“We’re celebrating today but there’s still a lot of anger.”

Reuters

Israelis were chanting jigs of joy[/caption]

Getty

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas[/caption]