Israel, Hamas sign peace deal, Trump says

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his 20-point peace plan, President Trump wrote on social media Wednesday night. The plan starts with the return of all living and deceased hostages in Hamas custody. Trump said the hostages would be home soon, but did not detail what was agreed to in the latest negotiations. As of Wednesday night, Israel and Hamas had not yet confirmed they had an agreement.

Earlier in the day, during a roundtable discussion at the White House, Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Trump a note, captured by an Associated Press photographer. It read: “Very close, we need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce the deal first.”

What happens next? During the roundtable discussion, Trump said he might visit the Middle East as soon as this weekend.

The president is considering going to the Middle East shortly after stopping by the Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday for remarks with troops and his annual physical, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. 

Dig deeper: In World Tour, Travis Kircher reports from Israel on the nation’s hopes for a ceasefire.