Gaza: Negotiators reached an agreement on Wednesday between Israel and Hamas for a cease-fire in the Gaza conflict, an official briefed on the talks said. Reutersafter a 15-month conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and inflamed the Middle East.
The deal, which has yet to be formally announced, outlines an initial six-week ceasefire phase and includes a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and Israel, an official briefed on the talks, said. includes the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the Palestinians held by Reuters.
The deal, backed by the United States, followed months of negotiations mediated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, and came just before the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
This was stated by Hamas, the dominant Palestinian group in Gaza Reuters His delegation had approved a cease-fire agreement and the return of hostages to the mediators.
This was said by a Palestinian official on condition of anonymity Reuters Earlier, Hamas had verbally approved a proposal for a ceasefire and the return of hostages under talks in Qatar and was awaiting further information for final written approval.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he was cutting short a trip to Europe and returning to Israel overnight to take part in security cabinet and government votes on the deal – meaning a vote would likely take place on Thursday or Thursday.
On October 7, 2023, Israeli troops attacked Gaza after Hamas-led gunmen breached security barriers and infiltrated Israeli communities, killing 1,200 soldiers and civilians and taking more than 250 foreign and Israeli hostages. .
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Israel’s campaign in Gaza, and the coastal area has been reduced to rubble and millions of people languish in tents and makeshift shelters. have survived.
As his inauguration approached, Trump reiterated his demand that the deal be done quickly, repeatedly warning that there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released. His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, worked with President Joe Biden’s team to push the deal.
In Israel, the return of the hostages may ease some of the public anger against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government over the Oct. 7 security failure that led to the deadliest day in the country’s history. happened
The conflict spread across the Middle East, with proxies in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen attacking Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians. The deal comes after Israel killed top leaders of Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah in a massacre that gave it hegemony.
