Donald Trump considers trip to Middle East on day of hostage release deadline

As a ceasefire and hostage release deal are announced in the Middle East, President Donald Trump's schedule suggests he may be making an impromptu trip to the area during the implementation.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the "first phase" of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners, U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday. According to the initial plans, the hostage release should happen within two days of Hamas accepting the offer - though full details have not been released yet.

On Friday, President Trump's schedule has a possible impromptu trip to the Middle East on his schedule which could coincide with the hostage release, according to a CNN analyst speaking to a government official.

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CNN analyst Barak Ravid, tweeted, "Senior American official: The war in Gaza has ended. The hostages will be released 72 hours after the Israeli cabinet approves the agreement. The assessment is that this will happen at the latest on Monday."

"This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed-upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace," Trump wrote earlier tonight on Truth Social. "All Parties will be treated fairly!"

Negotiators have been meeting in Egypt for days to hash out a Trump-backed peace plan that he hopes will ultimately result in a permanent end to the two-year war and bring about a sustainable peace in the region.

The initial agreement was confirmed by Israeli officials and Hamas, as well as mediator Qatar, reports the Times of Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it "A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home," in a statement from his office. "I thank the brave IDF soldiers and all the security forces - it is thanks to their courage and sacrifice that we have reached this day," he added.

Hamas also issued a statement confirming the hostage-ceasefire agreement with Israel. In it, the group thanked Donald Trump and asked the U.S. "to compel the occupation government to fully implement the obligations of the agreement and to prevent it from evading or delaying the implementation of what has been agreed upon."

"We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, inside our homeland and abroad, who have demonstrated unmatched honor, courage, and steadfastness, confronting the occupation's fascist schemes that targeted them and their national rights," continues Hamas' statement.

Hamas issues a statement confirming the hostage-ceasefire agreement with Israel, which the terror group says "provides for an end to the war in Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupation forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange."

The Palestinian terrorist organization thanks the mediators and US President Donald Trump for brokering an end to the war triggered by its October 7, 2023, onslaught against Israel, while urging them "to compel the occupation government to fully implement the obligations of the agreement and to prevent it from evading or delaying the implementation of what has been agreed upon."

"We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, inside our homeland and abroad, who have demonstrated unmatched honor, courage, and steadfastness, confronting the occupation's fascist schemes that targeted them and their national rights," the statement adds.

"We affirm that our people's sacrifices will not be in vain, and we pledge to remain faithful to our cause and never abandon our national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved," the statement finished.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement saying they feel "excitement, hope and concern" about the deal and stressed that it isn't over until the hostages are safely on Israeli soil.

"This is important and significant progress toward returning everyone, but our struggle has not ended and will not end until the last hostage returns," the statement said.