Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza after separate meetings with Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani. The deal, confirmed by a US official, comes after intense mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to end the ongoing conflict.
The agreement followed final negotiations between Hamas and Israeli representatives in Qatar, with the Qatari Prime Minister playing a key role in facilitating the talks. The ceasefire and hostage release deal marks a significant breakthrough after months of failed attempts to end the war, which has led to the highest death toll in Gaza’s history.
The announcement came ahead of the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, who praised the deal and confirmed that hostages would soon be released. Trump’s administration had been involved in the negotiations alongside outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration.
The violence in Gaza escalated after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,210 people, mostly civilians. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in the deaths of 46,707 people, most of whom were civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Negotiations faced significant challenges, including disagreements over the permanence of the ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the level of humanitarian aid for Palestinians. Despite these hurdles, international pressure, particularly from the United States, led to a breakthrough in the talks.
While the deal provides hope for peace, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to oppose any role for Hamas in Gaza’s post-war future. Additionally, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized the need for Israel to support a future where Gaza and the West Bank are reunited under a reformed Palestinian Authority, which could pave the way for an independent Palestinian state.
The announcement was welcomed by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, who acknowledged the role of international pressure in pushing Israel toward the ceasefire agreement.
