Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, including the release of hostages and prisoners. Mediated by the Trump administration, the deal also involves Israeli troop withdrawal and aid entry, marking a crucial step toward ending the war that has devastated Gaza
Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, following the announcement to pause the fighting. PIC/AP/PTI
Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting in Gaza and release at least some hostages and prisoners in an agreement that was put forward by the Trump administration. “This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace,” US President Donald Trump said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Hamas said it had agreed to a deal that will lead to the end of the war in Gaza, withdrawal of Israeli troops, entry of aid into Gaza and exchange of prisoners for hostages. Hamas called on Trump and mediators to ensure that Israel implements all the provisions of the deal “without disavowal or delay in implementation of what was agreed on.”
Hamas plans to release all 20 living hostages this weekend, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from Gaza. While many questions remain, the sides appear to be closer than they have been in several months to ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed most of Gaza and triggered other armed conflicts across the Middle East. The Palestinians’ dream of an independent state appears more remote than ever despite recent moves by major Western countries to recognise one.
The deal was solidified in Egypt after negotiations. The arrival of Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, on Wednesday at Sharm el-Sheikh for the peace talks, which were also attended by Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, was a sign that negotiators aimed to dive deeply into the toughest issues of a US plan to end the war. Netanyahu’s top adviser, Ron Dermer, was also present for the talks.
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