Israel and Hamas have reached a landmark ceasefire agreement, bringing a temporary halt to the 15-month conflict in Gaza.
The deal, brokered by Qatar, aims to facilitate a prisoner and hostage swap, paving the way for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, announced the agreement on Wednesday night, following weeks of intense negotiations in Doha.
The deal was made possible through increased pressure from US President-elect Donald Trump, who urged Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that both Israel and Hamas must commit to the agreement’s three phases to avoid further bloodshed and escalation in the region.
He expressed hope that this deal would mark the end of a “dark chapter of war“.
US President Joe Biden confirmed that his administration played a crucial role in negotiating the deal, but acknowledged that Trump’s team would be responsible for ensuring its implementation.
The incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, worked closely with Biden’s Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, to finalize the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to both Biden and Trump for their help in securing the deal.
Netanyahu’s office announced that he would meet with Trump soon in Washington.
Hamas announced its formal acceptance of the deal, with acting chief Khalil al-Hayya stating that Israel had failed to achieve its goals in Gaza.
Al-Hayya vowed that Hamas would not forget or forgive the victims of the conflict.
The ceasefire agreement is set to be officially accepted by Israel after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, marking a significant step towards ending the devastating conflict in Gaza.
