After 15 months of fighting, Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages, according to multiple sources and mediators.
The news broke on Wednesday evening when US and Hamas officials informed the media that the Palestinian terrorist organization had accepted the draft agreement. According to US officials, the ceasefire is expected to be implemented in the coming days.
Crowds gathered in the streets of Gaza to celebrate the news in a territory that has experienced heavy bombing and fighting between Hamas and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) over the past 15 months.
However, the celebrations may have been premature, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated roughly half an hour after the news broke that the agreement had not yet been finalized, and negotiators were expected to conclude the deal overnight.
President-elect Donald Trump reacted to the initial reports on his Truth Social account, stating: ‘We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!’
Shortly afterward, Trump attributed the agreement to the outcome of the US presidential election last November, which he won in a landslide against Democratic nominee, then-Vice President Kamala Harris. He claimed the election result had ‘signaled to the entire world that my Administration would seek peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans and our allies.’
Trump expressed his delight that American and Israeli hostages would be reunited with their families and loved ones. He further emphasized that his national security team, under the leadership of Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, would ‘continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.’
According to the Associated Press, US President Joe Biden is expected to address the deal on Thursday.
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