Israel And Hamas Agree To Ceasefire In Gaza After 15 Months Of War

The ceasefire comes shortly after Qatar’s Prime Minister, who was mediating the talks, met separately with Hamas and Israeli delegations resolving the dispute.

The ceasefire comes 15 months after the October war between Hamas and Israel started in 2023.

Source : x/@sanaIeste

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release dozens of hostages after more than 15 months of war, Associated Press reported quoting Qatari and Hamas officials.

The deal brings a pause to the fighting between the Israeli Defence Forces and militant group Hamas, bringing the conflict in the Middle East to a halt.

The ceasefire comes shortly after Qatar’s Prime Minister, who was mediating the talks, met separately with Hamas and Israeli delegations resolving the dispute. Qatar PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with negotiators from Hamas and Israel to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Hamas has said that its delegation has delivered its approval of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement to mediators, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. However, Israel is yet to announce a response to the proposal.

In the last 24 hours, Israeli forces have stepped up attacks on Gaza bombing a school-turned-shelter and several homes across the strip, killing at least 62 people.

What Is The Ceasefire Deal Between Israel And Hamas?

The deal, though not yet officially announced, has outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

 

The deal also includes the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel, according to Reuters.

 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar cut short a visit to Europe and flew back to Israel to take part in security cabinet and government votes on the deal. The voting in Israel is likely to take place on Thursday.

Reactions And Joy

In the southern city of Khan Younis in Gaza, a large crowd gathered and took to the streets over the ceasefire deal. People expressed happiness and hope that the deal would put the violence between the two parties at halt.

US President-elect Donald Trump expressed happiness over the deal and said that the hostages will be released shortly. “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social social media platform. Trump's Mideast envoy had joined Biden’s Mideast adviser Brett McGurk for the talks in Qatar.