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In today's issue:

▪ Israel, Hamas agree to hostage, prisoner release

▪ Spanberger, Earle-Sears face off in Virginia debate

▪ Dems’ shutdown position improves

▪ Katie Porter's 'unhappy' interview

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal aimed at bringing an end to the war in Gaza, President Trump announced Wednesday night, a day after the conflict hit its two-year mark.

The president said both sides agreed to the first phase of the 20-point plan he rolled out last month alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including a hostage and prisoner release as well as Israel pulling back troops in the enclave.

“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. All Parties will be treated fairly!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The deal will include a halt to fighting, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and aid entering the Gaza Strip, an official from Qatar, one of the nations helping negotiate the deal, said in a post online.

People familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Hamas plans to release all 20 living hostages within days, and the Israeli military will withdraw from most of Gaza.

"With God’s help we will bring them all home," Netanyahu wrote on social media, referring to the hostages.

Hamas issued a statement saying it agreed to "an end to the war on Gaza" and expressing appreciation for Trump's efforts "aimed at ending the war once and for all."

Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister and Trump spoke on Wednesday and congratulated each other on reaching a deal. He said he will convene the Israeli government Thursday to approve the agreement.

A senior White House official told CBS News that once the Israeli Cabinet approves the deal, Israel must withdraw to a certain point within 24 hours. After that, a 72-hour clock for the hostages' release begins.

The White House believes the hostages will be released on Monday, the official said.

Trump said he may go to the Middle East this weekend, adding he'd "most likely" go to Egypt but leaving open the possibility of visiting Gaza.

Netanyahu's office has also invited Trump to address the Knesset. The Jerusalem Post reported the president is expected to visit Israel Sunday.

The agreement comes just a day after the second anniversary of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 250 being taken hostage.

Trump put increasing pressure on Netanyahu to accept a deal after Israel’s strike last month against Hamas leaders residing in Qatar. The president unveiled his proposal last week and Netanyahu endorsed it.

A coalition of leaders from Arab, Gulf and Muslim-majority countries put pressure on Hamas to accept the deal, The Hill’s Laura Kelly reported.

▪ The Hill: Here's what's in Trump's 20-point proposal for peace in Gaza.

▪ The Associated Press: World leaders express hope over peace deal.

The announcement also comes on the eve of the Nobel Peace Prize being announced. Trump has openly coveted the prize, touting his efforts at securing deals to end multiple conflicts around the world.

“This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and 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!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Israel had become increasingly isolated as criticism mounted over its prosecution of the war against Hamas. Gaza health officials report that more than 60,000 Palestinians, at least half women and children, have been killed in the fighting since the war began.

Although Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first phase of the deal is a major breakthrough, it's unclear if other sticking points remain that could prevent the war coming to a permanent end.

One aspect of the president's plan includes Hamas agreeing to disarm and giving up power in Gaza, where it has ruled for the past two decades. A separate “Board of Peace” would oversee the territory, led by Trump.

The militant group hasn’t agreed to completely do that, and Netanyahu has remained steadfast that he won’t allow the creation of a Palestinian state. If Hamas does agree to give up power, it would be one of the most dramatic and consequential developments in the Middle East in decades.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised the deal unveiled Wednesday, saying the U.N. would assist with its implementation.

“I urge all stakeholders to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward towards ending the occupation, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, leading to a two-state solution to enable Israelis & Palestinians to live in peace & security,” Guterres said.

“The stakes have never been higher,” he said.

Smart Take with Blake Burman

I spoke with Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the........

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