Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza.
The deal was brokered following separate meetings between Qatar’s Prime Minister and negotiators from both sides, as confirmed by a U.S. official on Wednesday.
The agreement comes after intense mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, aimed at ending the deadliest conflict in Gaza’s history. A source close to the talks said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani played a key role in finalizing the deal.
“A Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal has been reached following the Qatari Prime Minister’s meetings with Hamas and Israeli negotiators,” a source briefed on the talks revealed.
Former U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to assume office soon, praised the deal, saying on his Truth Social network, “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!”
Trump had previously warned Hamas of severe consequences if the captives were not freed before his inauguration. Both the outgoing Biden administration and Trump’s incoming team participated in the negotiations.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched the deadliest-ever attack on Israel, killing 1,210 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Hamas still holds 94 hostages, with 34 reportedly dead.
In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed 46,707 people, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, figures the United Nations considers reliable.
Key issues in the negotiations included the permanence of the ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed to dismantle Hamas, has opposed any post-war role for the group. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that Gaza and the West Bank should be united under the Palestinian Authority as part of a path toward a two-state solution.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, speaking from Oslo, said the ceasefire agreement proves that international pressure on Israel can yield results.
While the truce marks a significant step, the future of Gaza and the prospects for lasting peace in the region remain uncertain.
