Israel and Hamas have reach Gaza ceasefire deal, officials tell media
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Negotiators have reached a deal for a ceasefire in the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, mediators said, as President-elect Donald Trump said “we have a deal for the hostages”. The deal, not yet formally announced, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel, officials have briefed media.
The BBC says its sources have also been told there is a deal, while a Hamas official has told Sky News, a deal has been reached. Three officials from the U.S. and one from Hamas confirmed that a deal had been reached, while a senior Israeli official said details are still being ironed out, the Associated Press reported.
It comes after 15 months of conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and inflamed the Middle East. The agreement follows months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with the backing of the United States, and came just ahead of the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
Hamas, Gaza's dominant Palestinian militant group, told Reuters its delegation had handed mediators its approval for the ceasefire agreement and return of hostages. A Palestinian official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters earlier Hamas had given verbal approval to the ceasefire and hostage return proposal under negotiation in Qatar and was waiting for more information to give final written approval.
