WASHINGTON/CAIRO: Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal that could open the way to ending a bloody two-year-old war that has upended the Middle East. Just a day after the second anniversary of the cross-border attack by Hamas militants that triggered Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza, indirect talks in Egypt yielded an agreement on the initial stage of Trump’s 20-point framework to bring peace to the Palestinian enclave.

Israel and Hamas set to hold indirect talks on Monday to discuss a US-led initiative largely accepted by both sides.

CAIRO: Israel and Hamas began indirect talks on ending the war in Gaza on Monday, after both sides signaled support for US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. The talks in…