Targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable", India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Parvathaneni Harish has said, stressing that international law governing safe passage must be "fully respected"
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Tried and Tested: I used this hair dryer for 30 days, and it has changed the way I dry my frizzy hairI have used Croma hair dryer for over three weeks
The story so far: Russia-based hackers targeted high-profile users in Germany, according to reports from the German media over the past few weeks. Der Spiegel reported that 300 Signal accounts belonging to politically connected individuals were attacked. On May 7
Fitness coach shares realistic rules he would follow to lose 30 lbs of stubborn belly fat without extreme dietingFrom protein intake to walking daily, here’s a breakdown of realistic rules that you can follow to lose 30 lbs of stubborn belly fat. Published on: May 17
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 80 as authorities warned there was no vaccine for the strain in a crisis that the World Health Organization declared an international health emergency on Sunday (May 17, 2026)
Israel, Hamas have agreed to first phase of Gaza peace plan, says Donald Trump
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have “both signed off” on the first phase of a peace plan for Gaza.
“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 said in a social media post. “All parties will be treated fairly.”
The announcement came after three days of indirect talks in Egypt, mediated by officials from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States, aimed at ending the conflict.
Confirming the development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media that “with the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home”.
“This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the state of Israel,” he said.
Hours later, the Israeli Defense Force said they were preparing to partially pull back troops in the Gaza Strip as part of the ceasefire deal.
“As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon,” the statement said. “The IDF continues to be deployed in the area and prepared for any operational development.”
Hamas said the deal would ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the entry of humanitarian aid and the exchange of hostages and prisoners, the Associated Press reported.
The group said that the agreement came after “responsible and serious negotiations”on Trump's proposal. It urged the US president and the mediators to ensure Israel implements all the agreed-upon provisions without delay or changes, the news agency reported.
The first phase of the plan includes a ceasefire, the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, Al Jazeera reported.
There has been no update on matters concerning disarmament, the governance of Gaza or whether Hamas will demilitarise, as Trump had demanded in his 20-point peace deal.
Even as talks progressed on Wednesday, Israel continued its attacks on Gaza. At least eight Palestinians were killed and 61 injured in the past 24 hours, Al Jazeera quoted the Palestinian Health Ministry as saying.
Israeli fighter jets on Thursday morning bombed the western part of Gaza City and its ground forces detonated an armoured vehicle near homes in the Sabra neighbourhood, Al Jazeera reported.
Israel's military offensive in Gaza began in October 2023 after Hamas killed 1,200 persons during its incursion into southern Israel and took hostages. Israel has been carrying out unprecedented air and ground strikes on besieged Gaza since then, leaving more than 67,000 persons dead.
In August, the United Nations formally declared a famine in northern Gaza. In September, a commission of inquiry set up by the United Nations said that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel called the report “distorted and false”, and demanded that the commission be immediately abolished.
Israel and Hamas had been holding ceasefire talks since July. Earlier efforts to reinstate a brief ceasefire that took effect in January had stalled due to disagreements between the two sides.
The peace plan announced by Trump on September 29 entails Israeli forces partially withdrawing from Gaza to prepare for hostages to be released.
Within 72 hours of Israel accepting the proposal, Hamas would have to return all hostages, whether alive or dead. Subsequently, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners undergoing life terms, as well as 1,700 Gaza residents who were detained after the conflict began.
Members of Hamas who “commit to peaceful coexistence” and agree to lay down arms will be given amnesty. Hamas members who want to leave Gaza will be given safe passage to receiving countries, as per the proposal.
The White House said that Israel will not annex Gaza and no one will be forced to leave the region.
The proposal also envisions a “Board of Peace” comprising international overseers led by Trump himself. The board will include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, although the proposal has not yet specified his role.
Gaza will be governed by a temporary “technocratic, apolitical” committee comprising Palestinians and global experts and the “Board of Peace” will oversee the committee's functioning.
The proposal will require Hamas to have no direct or indirect role in governing Gaza.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the agreement on the first phase of Trump's peace plan. “This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of [Israeli] PM Netanyahu,” Modi said on social media.
“We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace,” he added.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday welcomed the announcement and said that the organisation will support the full implementation of the agreement.
The UN will scale up the delivery of sustained and principled humanitarian relief, and we will advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, he added.
“I urge all concerned to abide fully by the terms of the agreement,” Guterres said in a social media post. “All hostages must be released in a dignified manner. A permanent ceasefire must be secured. The fighting must stop once and for all.”
Also read: With its silence on Palestinian statehood, US proposal deceives rather than bringing peace
Source: Scroll
Related Posts: Oil tanker with 15 Indians on board hit off Oman coast amid Iran-Israel conflict Lebanese influencer Natalie Kamal El-Din fighting for life after Israel attack Taiwan considers high-tech strategic partnership with United States Why are calls growing for a global boycott of the United States Who Replaces Iran At FIFA World Cup In United States United States says it struck Islamic State terror camp in Nigeria Indian student who went missing six days ago in United States found dead Another win for world and United States United States is being too complacent about Iran and oil prices How Powerful Is Minuteman-III – The Nuclear Missile United States Tested
Indian woman explains why Florida feels impossible to leave after 5 years: ‘Once someone comes here…’An Indian woman in the US said life in Florida made her feel she could not move to any other state. Published on: May 17, 2026 2:28 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link An
1 days ago
Tilak Varma, the young Indian cricketer who plays for Mumbai Indians and the Indian team, is once again at the centre of dating rumours involving Telugu actress Sreeleela after a viral video featuring Suryakumar Yadav sparked fresh speculation online. The clip, now going viral across Reddit
1 days ago
Indian-origin CEO announces layoffs at $3.4 billion US startup: ‘Difficult day’Healthtech unicorn Innovaccer, led by Abhinav Shashank, has carried out a fresh round of layoffs as it moves towards an AI-native structure. Updated on: May 17, 2026 11:04 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link
1 days ago
On May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s motorcade drove through Gujarat’s Jamnagar, a town known for housing the world’s largest oil refinery. Videos showed hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party supporters lining the route, waving party flags and cheering.On May 10
1 days ago
At least eight people were killed and 25 others injured after a train collision triggered a fire that engulfed a public bus in Bangkok on Saturday (May 16, 2026), rescue officials and police said. Firefighters and rescue crews were dispatched as flames engulfed the bus
1 days ago
‘This day is my favourite’: Indian man praises UK corporate culture after painting zoo railings with colleaguesAn Indian man shared how UK Volunteer Day culture gave him a chance to try painting and bond with colleagues. Published on: May 17
1 days ago
Gurugram-based logistics services provider has elevated six senior executives to C-suite roles as the company looks to strengthen its leadership team amid expansion across business verticals. The company said in a stock exchange filing that the appointments are effective immediately
1 days ago
Former couple Mouni Roy and Suraj Nambiar announced that they were going their separate ways earlier this week. Fans noticed that they are now following each other again on Instagram. Before Mouni Roy and Suraj Nambiar announced their separation
1 days ago
You know a dish is interesting when it makes you stop and think, “Wait, why have I never eaten this combination before?" That’s exactly what Amritsari Chole Baozi feels like. Imagine soft, fluffy bao buns stuffed with spicy Punjabi chole, topped with pickled onions and mint mayo, comforting
1 days ago
Manipur deputy chief ministers key negotiators in abduction crisisThe two leaders are engaging with their respective communities to secure the safe return of at least 20 abducted people, officials said. Published on: May 17, 2026 11:07 AM IST By Prawesh Lama
1 days ago
Foxtail millets idli recipe: Give a delicious and healthy spin to this South Indian staple with Sanjeev Kapoor' recipeFoxtail millet, a nutritious grain from India, is used in various dishes. Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares a recipe for idlis using foxtail millet and urad dal. Updated on: May 17
1 days ago
The Israeli military on Saturday (May 16, 2026) confirmed that Ezzedine Al-Haddad, chief of Hamas' armed wing, was killed in an air strike in Gaza the day before. "The IDF and the ISA announce that yesterday, in a precise strike in the area of the City of Gaza
1 days ago
An Iranian state television presenter fired a shot at the flag of the United Arab Emirates during a live firearms training broadcast, in a dramatic moment amid rising regional tensions and the increasingly militarised messaging on Iranian state media
1 days ago
Donald Trump’s White House ballroom funding hits US Senate roadblockA Republican plan to earmark federal funding for President Donald Trump’s planned ballroom hit at least a temporary roadblock Saturday in the US Senate. Updated on: May 17, 2026 10:31 AM IST Bloomberg Share via Copy link A
1 days ago
Virat Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20Is but remains a cornerstone in the 50-over format, opened up on playing the ODI World Cup 2027, amid the ongoing IPL 2026 season. In a candid and fiercely honest revelation, Indian batting great Virat Kohli has finally broken his silence on the
1 days ago
Some people wake up early to work out. Others wake up early purely for good breakfast, and honestly, that feels like the better life choice. Because there’s something deeply satisfying about starting the day with great coffee, buttery croissants, perfectly runny eggs
1 days ago
A Reddit post shared by a CBSE Class 12 student has started a wider conversation online about pressure from parents after board exam results. The student claimed their father reacted harshly after seeing the marks, leading to both emotional and physical punishment at home
1 days ago
China’s Ministry of Commerce said that Beijing and Washington had reached an agreement covering the purchase of US aircraft as well as the supply of jet engines and aviation components to China, marking a major breakthrough during US President Donald Trump’s state visit
1 days ago
Weekly Tarot Horoscope for May 17–23, 2026: Karmic awakenings, some momentum, and emotional resets may all be arrivingWeekly Tarot Horoscope: Read your tarot prediction for May 17-23, 2026. Published on: May 17, 2026 10:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries This week asks you to
1 days ago
It is just past noon at the crescent-shaped Palolem beach on the southern tip of Goa's long, sandy coastline. The sun is blinding hot, but that has not deterred the tourist hordes from splashing about in the ocean. The beachside shacks and cheap backpacker hotels hugging the bay in the state often
1 days ago
India’s anti-narcotics agencies have made a landmark breakthrough after seizing the country’s first-ever consignment of Captagon, a highly controversial amphetamine-based drug often referred to as the “Jihadi drug" in an operation that has gone viral online
1 days ago
Chaturvedi said, "Actually, it's not just one suicide; there are three such suicides that have taken place. And yes, I agree with what Rahul Gandhi is saying, because these are murders committed by the Government of India by totally disregarding the mental stress and mental agony of lakhs of
1 days ago
IMD to revamp heatwave alerts, introduce percentile-based thresholds for first timeUnder the new framework, a heat alert will be triggered when maximum temperatures exceed the 95th percentile for a given location. Updated on: May 17, 2026 10:56 AM IST By Jayashree Nandi Share via Copy link
1 days ago
Aditi Rao Hydari serves regal glamour at Cannes in a breathtaking green gown and statement silhouetteAditi Rao Hydari served a high-fashion red carpet look at Cannes 2026 with a green draped couture gown that took the internet by storm. Let’s decode her look. Published on: May 17
1 days ago
India’s external affairs ministry on Saturday rejected an award reportedly issued by a court of arbitration about maximum pondage at Indian hydroelectric projects on the Indus river system, calling it null and void. Pondage refers to water that accumulates behind the dam of a run-of-the-river
1 days ago
Bengal: Major anti-encroachment drive conducted to clear out Howrah station areaBengal: Major anti-encroachment drive conducted to clear out Howrah station area Published on: May 17, 2026 11:17 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Kolkata, A massive anti-encroachment drive was carried out outside Howrah
1 days ago
Actor Rajinikanth on Sunday broke his silence on actor-turned-politician Vijay becoming the state’s chief minister, saying he was “extremely shocked" by the development. Addressing reporters at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai, Rajinikanth said he felt compelled to clarify his position
1 days ago
![Saran (Bihar) [India], May 17 (ANI): Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said the group has placed “additional emphasis](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/adani-group-ramps-up-bihar-infra-focus.webp?width=120&height=70)
