Israel and Hamas have agreed on the terms of a Gaza ceasefire deal that will see a cessation in bombardment as well as the release of 33 captives and over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani confirmed on Wednesday.
Al Thani further confirmed said the deal will lead to surging humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The deal will come into effect on Sunday, with Israel continuing to bombard areas of the Palestinian territory on Wednesday night.
Prior to the official announcement in Doha, incoming president Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that a deal has been reached, writing: “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”
Al Thani thanked both Biden Administration official Brett McGurk and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, for their role in securing Israel’s agreement to phase one of the deal.
Despite the outpourings of relief at the deal, phase one is only a temporary ceasefire and Israel retains the right to continue the war once it comes to an end.
The first phase of the deal would last six weeks and include a “full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas,” US President Joe Biden said in a press conferenceÂ
In Gaza’s Deir al Balah, Palestinians erupted in jubilant celebrations at the news, waving Palestinian flags and holding up victory signs.Â
In Tel Aviv, people gathered holding posters with the photos of the captives on them, while also holding candles. Some of the signs read “stop the war”.
The New Arab’s Gaza correspondent who recently evacuated from the Strip said: “I am in a state of confusion but the first thing I did is cry over all of our pain during this 15-month bloody war”.
“I am happy there is a ceasefire but I am angry at Israel and Hamas over the high number of victims. I am sad for our losses in Gaza, our homes, beloved ones and our entire lives” she added.
“I am so sad I’m far away from my area and cannot be in Gaza to cry over evert house that was destroyed and everyone who lost loved ones” she continued”.
The developments come following months of ceasefire talks breaking down and stalling due to disagreements on key terms.
Earlier today in Gaza, Palestinians were anxiously waiting for a full ceasefire to come into effect.
“Despite the ongoing death, violence, and tragedy, everyone yearns for the moment when the announcement will come to halt the bloodshed, to stop the funerals of martyrs, and to end the painful separations from loved ones—so life can begin anew” Hassan Qunaita, the General Director of Gaza Commission of Detainees and Ex-detainees Affairs, said.
He added that the moment it is confirmed, “families will start searching for who remains [of their loved ones], especially since most families have been scattered, with some in the north, others in the south, and some missing entirely”.
Others expressed deep anticipation for the moment the bombardment stops.
“The anticipation [of the announcement] is filled with joy, chanting, accompanied by fireworks celebrating the long-awaited news of a ceasefire. 466 days of genocide, killing, and suffering have led to this moment. We fully understand that this joy is temporary, a fleeting pause between celebrating the ceasefire and mourning our martyrs, whose blood has soaked the earth,” Diana Al-Biss (27), From Jabalia Refugee Camp, displaced to Deir al-Balah said.
Gaza’s government media office issued a list of guidelines for when the deal is officially announced.
The guidelines include avoiding spreading rumours and unconfirmed information, being careful while moving and following official sources for information, avoiding destroyed homes which have been bombed and staying away from unexploded bombs.
This is a developing story.
