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Israel and Hamas have agreed to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining hostages, raising hopes of an end to the bloodiest war in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The multi-level agreement comes just days before Donald Trump takes office as US President. Before his inauguration on Monday, Trump’s warning that “all hell will pay” if the hostages are not released helped spark new momentum in the long-running talks.
“We have a deal for hostages in the Middle East. Soon they will be released,” Trump posted on the reality social platform on Wednesday. “Thank you!”
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said the agreement was reached after separate meetings with Hamas and Israeli negotiators to reach a final deal, according to a person close to the Doha negotiations.
Attempts to broker a deal to end the 15-month conflict and free the 98 Israeli hostages still in Gaza – not all of whom are alive – have repeatedly failed to meet the demands of Israel and Palestinian militants. Reaching an agreement.
Israel’s government is set to vote on the deal – based on a three-phase proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden last year. Far-right ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Givir, have expressed opposition to the deal, but are not expected to block it.
The first phase of the deal includes a 42-day truce, during which 33 Israeli hostages – including children, all female prisoners, the sick and the elderly – will be freed in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
No later than the 16th, the two sides will begin negotiating the second phase of the deal, which would see the remaining hostages, including male soldiers, be released in exchange for further Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase is said to lead to a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
The final phase involves the return of the remaining bodies and the rebuilding of Gaza under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.
According to Abu Shukri, a community organizer sheltered in Gaza’s Magaz refugee camp, people in the area lined streets and balconies awaiting the announcement. As soon as the news of the agreement reached the people, they fired into the air and erupted in joy.
Abu Shukri said about the news, “We only thank God.” But we have given our children, we have given it to our parents.
The October 7 attack by Hamas killed more Jews than any other massacre, and Israel’s retaliatory attack on Gaza sparked a year-long wave of war that changed the dynamics of the Middle East.
Palestinian militants have killed 1,200 people and taken another 250 hostages in a shocking attack on Israel.
Israeli strikes have killed more than 46,000 people, reduced much of Gaza to rubble, and caused humanitarian devastation in the besieged territory, according to Palestinian officials.
Israel has been embroiled in a war on multiple fronts since the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has allied with the Palestinians and started firing into Israel. It traded direct missiles with Iran for the first time, invaded southern Lebanon, and bombed Syria and Yemen.
Additional reporting by Malaika Tapper in Beirut
