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A landmark agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, marking a temporary pause in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The deal, confirmed on Wednesday by a U.S. official, includes a 42-day ceasefire and provisions for the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The agreement follows over a year of mediation efforts led by Qatar, with critical involvement from both the Biden and incoming Trump administrations.
The ceasefire includes the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas, including children, elderly individuals, and female soldiers, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, displaced residents of Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes, and humanitarian aid will be permitted to flow into the region. Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from densely populated areas while maintaining a buffer zone along Gaza’s borders.
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced the deal in Doha, highlighting the intense negotiations that spanned 411 days. Further phases of the agreement are expected to be negotiated as the initial ceasefire unfolds.
The agreement is notable for the collaboration between representatives of the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration. Brett McGurk, Biden’s Middle East negotiator, and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, worked together to push the deal across the finish line.
Both President Biden and President-elect Trump have claimed credit for the agreement. Biden called it one of the most challenging negotiations of his career, while Trump attributed the breakthrough to his election victory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to both U.S. administrations, signaling the importance of bipartisan support in facilitating the agreement. The deal has been lauded by mediators as a significant step toward de-escalation in Gaza, though its implementation will be closely monitored.
The ceasefire is set to begin in the coming days, with the potential for additional agreements to follow. This development marks a moment of cautious optimism in one of the world’s most entrenched conflicts.
