Israel and Hamas Agree to End Fighting, Secure Release of Hostages in Gaza

Israel and Hamas have officially agreed to a ceasefire and a hostage release arrangement, effectively bringing an end to over a year of intense conflict in the Gaza Strip. The agreement, which has been hailed as a significant breakthrough, was announced separately on Wednesday by both U.S. President Joe Biden and Qatar’s Prime Minister.

The deal comes after a week of rigorous diplomatic negotiations, facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. President Biden emphasized the importance of the agreement, highlighting the United States’ crucial role in the months-long diplomacy that culminated in this resolution. In his statement, he noted that this deal would not only end the fighting in Gaza but also ensure the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, who have suffered immensely throughout the conflict. Additionally, one of the most significant aspects of the agreement is the planned reunification of hostages, who had been held captive for over 15 months.

The deal marks a hopeful turning point in the ongoing conflict, with the potential for long-awaited peace and stability in the region. The humanitarian implications of this deal are far-reaching, as it seeks to provide relief to thousands of affected civilians and bring families back together after an extended period of hardship.

Speaking from the White House on Wednesday afternoon, President Joe Biden expressed deep satisfaction with the newly reached ceasefire and hostage release agreement, emphasizing that this was the only path to ending the brutal conflict. He reflected on the heavy toll the war had taken, stating, “There was no other way for this war to end than with a hostage deal, and I’m deeply satisfied this day has finally come, for the sake of the people of Israel, and for the families waiting in agony, and for the sake of the innocent people in Gaza who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war.” Biden also assured that Americans would be among those released in the first phase of the deal, expressing his and Vice President Kamala Harris’s eagerness to welcome them back home once they return.

The White House confirmed that the deal is set to go into effect on Sunday, marking a turning point in the conflict.

As the announcement spread, news of the breakthrough agreement was met with widespread relief and celebrations in Gaza. In the town of Deir al Bala, crowds gathered, and celebratory gunfire could be heard echoing through the streets. The atmosphere was charged with hope as people processed the long-awaited news.

A young Palestinian woman from Gaza City’s Khan Younis expressed her emotions to the media, saying, “I’m extremely happy. The past 15 months I experienced tears, laughter, lost martyrs, and people went into prison, but finally, I feel the joy.” Her words reflected the profound emotional journey many have endured throughout the war’s devastation.

An elderly man, also in Gaza, shared his relief, stating, “I am very happy, and today is the day I wished to hear about since the beginning of the war.” He added a spiritual reflection, saying, “God is sending us hope,” capturing the deep sense of faith and optimism that has emerged among many Palestinians in light of the agreement.

Although the ceasefire agreement has been announced, it has not yet taken effect, and Israeli airstrikes continued on Wednesday in Gaza City and Khan Younis, even after the news of the deal broke.

The families of the American hostages who are still being held in Gaza expressed immense relief upon hearing the news of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement. In a statement, they shared their deep gratitude for the long-awaited breakthrough, saying, “We are deeply grateful that there is finally an agreement between Israel and Hamas to bring our loved ones — Omer, Edan, Sagui, Itay, Keith, Gad, and Judi — home.” They went on to highlight the agonizing wait they had endured, with their family members suffering life-threatening injuries, abuse, torture, and sexual violence over the course of 467 days. The families also thanked U.S. President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump, and their respective teams for their efforts in securing the deal.

Earlier in the week, officials from the U.S., Israel, and Arab nations had confirmed that a draft of the deal had been agreed to in principle. This deal lays out a phased framework that includes a ceasefire, the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and the facilitation of humanitarian aid to Gaza. It also ensures that Palestinians who fled Gaza during the conflict will eventually be able to return to their homes.

Intense and ongoing negotiations in Doha, Qatar, have been crucial in bringing about the deal. For the past few weeks, President Biden’s senior Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, had been staying in the region, working closely with Steve Witkoff, who had been selected by President-elect Trump to serve as the special Middle East envoy. McGurk and Witkoff have worked in tandem, coordinating efforts between both U.S. administrations to facilitate the agreement.

On Sunday, President Biden had a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the negotiations, and again on Wednesday. A senior U.S. official described their latest call as “a very warm call, marking this moment,” highlighting the significance of the diplomatic achievement.

In Israel, families of the approximately 100 hostages still held by Hamas following the group’s brutal October 7, 2023, attack have been organizing regular rallies, calling for a negotiated agreement to secure the release of their loved ones. The attack, which also involved allied militants, resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people. According to the Israel Defense Forces, they believe that about a third of the hostages have already died.

Since the war began, more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, as reported by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. The majority of Gaza’s population is now displaced, with many living in overcrowded refugee camps. Humanitarian organizations are facing significant challenges in delivering aid to those in need, while experts have raised alarms about the looming threat of famine in the region.

As for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, the details of the agreement closely align with a proposal outlined by President Biden last year. The deal is expected to be implemented on Sunday. According to sources involved in the mediation process, the deal will be carried out in three distinct phases, each lasting approximately 42 days. This structure is designed to gradually bring an end to the violence and pave the way for hostages to be released and humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.

In the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas would release 33 hostages who are women, children, or over the age of 50, as outlined in the draft seen by News. Additionally, Israel would withdraw all its forces from the populated areas of Gaza, as confirmed by President Biden.

For every woman or child returned to Israel, Israel is expected to release 30 Palestinian women and children from its prisons. Similarly, for every hostage over the age of 50 that Hamas releases, Israel would release 30 Palestinian prisoners who are 50 or older.

A senior Israeli official confirmed that Israel’s release of prisoners would begin on the first day of the 42-day ceasefire period. President Biden also mentioned that American hostages would be among the first to be released.

According to the draft, on the first day of the ceasefire, Hamas would release three hostages, followed by four hostages on the seventh day. After that, Hamas would continue to release three hostages every seven days, starting with the living hostages and then returning the bodies of those who have died.

During the hostage and prisoner exchange, a complete ceasefire would be in place across Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. International aid groups and the United Nations would resume their operations in the region, beginning the crucial task of rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure, including water, electricity, and sewage systems.

The second phase of the ceasefire deal would see the release of all remaining male Israeli hostages, along with the complete withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza, as announced by President Biden on Wednesday.

In the third phase, the exchange of deceased hostages and prisoners’ bodies would take place, and the reconstruction of Gaza would begin, according to Biden’s statement.

Regarding the broader context of the deal, President Biden acknowledged that while the agreement was developed and negotiated under his administration, most of its terms would be implemented by his successor, President-elect Donald Trump. “This deal was developed and negotiated under my administration, but its terms will be implemented, for the most part, by the next administration,” Biden said, emphasizing the cooperative approach between the two administrations. Trump also responded to the news of the ceasefire and hostage release deal on social media as the announcement was made.

Former President Donald Trump responded to the ceasefire and hostage release deal by attributing its success to his victory in the November election, claiming it demonstrated to the world that his incoming administration would prioritize peace and negotiate agreements to protect both Americans and U.S. allies. “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump wrote. He expressed his happiness that both American and Israeli hostages would soon be reunited with their families and loved ones.

Trump also emphasized his commitment to ensuring long-term security in the region, stating that his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, would continue working closely with Israeli leadership to prevent Gaza from becoming a terrorist safe haven in the future.

Celebrating what he views as a major diplomatic achievement, Trump added, “We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!”

As Trump remained at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Wednesday, just five days before his inauguration, the debate over credit for the ceasefire deal continued. When asked about Trump’s role in the negotiations, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby downplayed the focus on recognition, stating in an interview with News’ Caitlin Huey-Burns: “I would hope we would all move beyond the question of who gets credit. I don’t think the hostages care about that, and I don’t think their families care about that. I don’t think the Palestinians in Gaza care who gets credit for this. The truth is, there’s a lot of credit to go around, including in the [Mideast] region.”