According to reports from Israeli, Arab, and US media, the Israeli government and Hamas have reached an agreement that is expected to ensure a “historic ceasefire” and the release of all hostages held by the militant Palestinian group.
Official sources and negotiators from all sides have confirmed the agreement, which is set to take effect on Sunday. Israel’s Security Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday morning to finalize and approve the agreement. The White House is cautious, as it will only be confident once the Israeli Cabinet gives its final approval.
Israeli President Netanyahu initially declined to comment on the agreement, citing the need for final details to be worked out.
US President-elect Donald Trump, however, announced on his Truth Social platform that the agreement would secure the release of all hostages in the Middle East, stating that his national security team would work closely with Israel and US allies to ensure the Gaza Strip would never again become a safe haven for terrorists.
According to multiple reports, the agreement includes a 42-day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, including the release of all Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on the Gaza Strip.
The Biden administration, as well as the Trump team, have claimed the agreement as a success of their diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. President Biden described the agreement as the “most difficult negotiation he has ever been part of” dating back to initial talks in May of the previous year.
The White House statement cited Biden as saying, “Today, after many months of intense diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have achieved a ceasefire and the release of hostages.”
Trump also posted on his platform, stating, “This epic ceasefire agreement could only have come about as a result of our historic victory in November, as it signaled to the world that my administration would strive for peace and agreements to ensure the safety of all Americans and our allies.”
A Hamas representative characterized the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as a “great success” saying it reflected the steadfastness of the population and the courage of the resistance. He also added that it was a confirmation that the occupation had failed to achieve its goals.
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement, stating, “Hostages can be reunited with their families, and humanitarian aid can reach civilians in the Gaza Strip.” She added that this brought “hope for the entire region, where people have suffered immeasurable pain for far too long.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also posted on social media, saying, “There is hope that the hostages will finally be freed and the dying in Gaza will come to an end. Everyone who bears responsibility should now ensure that this chance is seized.”
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell reminded that the agreement was “long overdue” for the children and families in Gaza, citing that the war had exacted a “terrible toll” on the children, with at least 14,500 of them killed.
The World Food Programme stated it was ready to support more than a million people in the Gaza Strip, but only if all border crossings were open and humanitarian teams could move freely and safely in the enclave.
According to Arab media, the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, had met with high-ranking Hamas representatives to persuade the Palestinian group to accept the agreement. The Egyptian, Turkish, and Israeli intelligence chiefs, as well as the heads of Israel’s security services, had also been involved in the negotiations. A “monitoring mechanism” would be set up in Cairo, where a team of representatives from the three countries would control the implementation of the agreement, the Qatari Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, explained.
The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, characterized the agreement as a “significant step towards stability in the entire region.” Turkey would continue to push for a two-state solution in the long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Fidan stated.
The complex agreement, yet to be published, includes a six-week initial phase of the ceasefire and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, as well as the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners held by Israel, according to the Times of Israel.
Once the agreement takes effect, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages in the first 42 days of the ceasefire, as reported by multiple media outlets.