Following talks with Qatar’s prime minister, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on a Gaza cease-fire and captive release.
The agreement follows a week of rigorous negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt.
“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,” Mr. Biden said in a written statement. “This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”
Intense negotiations had been underway in Doha for several weeks, with President Biden’s senior Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, staying in the region for about a month. McGurk has been working closely with President-elect Donald Trump’s selection for special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. On Sunday, Mr Biden spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the negotiations.
Families of the approximately 100 hostages still being held in Israel since Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 2023 attack, in which the group and allied terrorists killed approximately 1,200 people, have organized frequent protests seeking a negotiated deal for their loved ones’ release.
The Israel Defense Forces believes that around one-third of the hostages have already died.
“We are deeply grateful that there is finally an agreement between Israel and Hamas to bring our loved ones — Omer, Edan, Sagui, Itay, Keith, Gad, and Judi — home,” the families of the American hostages in Gaza said in a statement.
“We have been waiting for 467 days while our family members suffer from life-threatening injuries, abuse, torture, and sexual violence. We thank President Biden, President-elect Trump, and their teams for their constructive efforts to make this possible.”
According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, around 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the conflict began, and the majority of Gaza’s population is displaced and living in camps.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
