Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire agreement in Gaza

(CLO) Hamas and Israel have reached a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip that mediators say will take effect next Sunday, after 15 months of devastating war that has left the Palestinian enclave virtually leveled.

The complex phased deal outlines an initial six-week ceasefire with a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed. Hostages held by the militant group Hamas would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

At a press conference in Doha, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said in Washington: "This agreement will stop the fighting in Gaza, increase much-needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and reunite hostages with their families after more than 15 months of captivity."

Palestinians celebrate after a ceasefire agreement in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip on January 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy of AP, not for re-release)

Joy in fear

Palestinians reacted to news of the deal by celebrating on the streets of Gaza, where they face severe shortages of food, water, shelter and fuel. In Khan Younis, crowds packed the streets amid honking car horns as they cheered, waved Palestinian flags and danced.

"I was so happy. I cried, yes, but they were tears of joy," said Ghada, a displaced mother of five.

In Tel Aviv, the families of the Israeli hostages and their friends rejoiced at the news, saying in a statement they felt "extremely happy and relieved (about) the deal to bring our loved ones home".

Despite the breakthrough, residents said Israeli airstrikes continued Wednesday night in Gaza, where more than 46,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Airstrikes on Gaza City and northern Gaza killed at least 32 people.

An Israeli official said Israel's acceptance of the deal would not be formal until it was approved by the country's security cabinet and government, with a vote expected on Thursday.

In a social media statement announcing the ceasefire, Hamas called the pact "an achievement for our people" and "a turning point".

Progress of the deal

Phase one of the deal includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, children and men over the age of 50. Two American hostages, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen, are among those released in the first phase, a source said.

The deal was signed after months of arduous, relentless negotiations led by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with US backing, and comes just ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed the deal, as did leaders from Türkiye, the UK, the United Nations, Jordan, Germany and the UAE, among others.

On his social media page Truth Social, Mr Trump said the deal would not happen if he did not win the US election in November.

Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was in Qatar with White House envoys for the talks, and a senior Biden administration official said Witkoff's presence was crucial to reaching a deal after 96 hours of intense negotiations.

Negotiations on the second phase of the deal will begin on the 16th day of phase one and this phase is expected to include the release of all remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The third phase is expected to deal with the return of all remaining bodies and the start of Gaza's reconstruction under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.

One unanswered question is who will run Gaza after the war. Israel has denied any involvement by Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007. Israel also opposes the leadership of the Palestinian Authority.

Hoang Huy (according to AJ, Reuters, TOI)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-va-hamas-dat-thoa-thuan-ngung-ban-nhung-bom-dan-van-roi-o-gaza-va-con-nhieu-cau-hoi-phia-truoc-post330585.html