Hamas and Israel have agreed on a ceasefire deal, effectively pausing the war in Gaza, mediators Qatar, Egypt and United States announced Wednesday, January 15 night.
The announcement was made by Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani after weeks of negotiations in Doha.
The mediators say the multi-phased deal — that intends to end the brutal 15-month conflict — will go into effect on Sunday, January 19.
The first phase of the ceasefire entails a 42-day period that would see the release of 33 Israeli captives and a number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas has formally accepted the terms of the deal, lauding the agreement for preventing Israel from achieving its goals in Gaza.
“On behalf of all the victims, every drop of blood spilt and every tear of pain and oppression, we say: We will not forget, and we will not forgive,” Hamas acting chief, Khalil al-Hayya, said.
Israel is set to officially accept through a `Cabinet meeting on Thursday, January 16.
“The two belligerents in the Gaza Strip have reached a deal on the prisoner and the hostage swap, and [the mediators] announce a ceasefire in the hopes of reaching a permanent ceasefire between the two sides,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Both parties should commit totally to all three phrases [of the agreement] to steer away from further bloodshed and steer away escalation in the region.” he added: “We hope this will be the end of a dark chapter of war.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families.
Netanyahu made it clear that he is committed to returning all of the hostages however he can, and commended Trump for his remarks that the US would work with Israel to ensure that Gaza will never be a haven for terrorism.
“The two decided to meet in Washington soon in order to discuss this and other important issues. Prime Minister Netanyahu then spoke with US President Joe Biden and thanked him as well for his assistance in advancing the hostages deal,” a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister says.
Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 15, 2025
My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done – I will speak more about this soon. pic.twitter.com/iETWhGXEGA
Peace is the best medicine!
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 15, 2025
The #Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal is welcome and encouraging. Too many lives have been lost and too many families have suffered. We hope all parties will respect the deal and work towards lasting peace.
Health needs in Gaza remain…
The ceasefire and hostage release deal announced between Israel and Hamas is good news – for the families of the hostages taken on October 7th, for the Palestinian civilians who have suffered for more than a year, and for everyone who has prayed for an end to this awful chapter.…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 15, 2025
My statement on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/eLbgaTr4dP
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 15, 2025
The latest round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on 7 October, 2023 when Hamas militants stormed across the border into Israeli communities.
Israel says the militants killed more than 1200 people, mostly civilians, and took some 250 people into captivity in Gaza.
Since then, authorities in Gaza report that more than 45,000 people have been killed in the enclave in the last 14 months.
