Negotiators from Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 42-day cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza, President Biden and other leaders said yesterday, raising hopes that a 15-month war that killed at least 45,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of the enclave could soon come to an end. The truce is set to take effect on Sunday, the Qatari prime minister said. Read the latest.
The agreement needs to be formally ratified by the Israeli cabinet and the government, and both sides were still working on concluding some of the logistical matters, according to officials from Israel and Qatar. A vote in Israel is expected this morning. Here’s what we know about the deal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a brief statement at midnight local time reiterating that he would make a full statement only after the final details of the agreement were settled. He has spoken with Biden and with President-elect Donald Trump, his office said. Hamas confirmed the cease-fire deal, calling it an “achievement for our people.”
What this means for Gaza: In the first phase of the cease-fire, Israeli forces would withdraw to the east, away from populated areas. Israel must free several Palestinian prisoners for each hostage released, including some serving life sentences, and allow the entry of 600 trucks carrying humanitarian relief daily, according to a copy of the agreement.
What this means for Israel: A total of 33 hostages would be released over the course of the 42 days. They include women and children, men over age 50 and sick or wounded people. It’s still unclear how many of the 33 are alive. About 100 hostages are thought to still be in Gaza, although the Israeli authorities believe around 35 of them are dead.
Many Gazans reacted with hope tempered by sadness, exhaustion and fear. In Israel, supporters of the deal celebrated the new hope for the return of hostages but also expressed sorrow that a truce would most likely only pause the conflict.
The Gazan Civil Defense Rescue and Emergency Service said last night that the Israeli military was “escalating its aggression against civilians,” even with a cease-fire deal in sight. “At this moment, a residential block consisting of multiple houses” north of Gaza City was “being bombed,” it said.
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have both welcomed the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Simon Harris says he hopes all sides will seize this opportunity, and Micheál Martin says we now need to see a massive 'scale-up' of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
President Michael D Higgins says it's important that all remaining hostages are released and all phases of the agreement fully implemented. Medics say 32 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza - ahead of the start of a ceasefire. The six week truce was announced by negotiators last night.
It's due to begin on Sunday and phase one will see Israeli hostages released and Palestinian prisoners set free.
