Gaza ceasefire: What happens now as Israel and Hamas agree peace deal amid 'Trump effect'
Share:
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a historic peace deal - potentially ending months of terrible conflict that has left tens of thousands dead. The three-phase ceasefire deal promises the release of dozens of hostages held by militants in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and would allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to their homes. It would also allow desperately needed humanitarian aid into the territory after 15 long months of war.
US President Joe Biden hailed the deal last night and said he was "thrilled" that all hostages could soon be freed - but it still needs to be approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet, who have already accused Hamas of backsliding. Donald Trump has meanwhile claimed that the "epic" agreement was only possible because he won November's presidential election.
There are three phases to the deal, which was negotiated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and Hamas to allow both sides to work gradually towards a complete halt to fighting. Phase one, which will begin on Sunday according to mediator Qatar, would bring about a six-week halt to hostilities, opening negotiations on ending the war.
A total of 33 of the nearly 100 Israeli hostages held by Hamas would be released over that period, although it’s not clear if more than half are alive. The US says this phase also includes a withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza, allowing people to return to their homes.
