Biden: Israel-Hamas deal will halt fighting in Gaza
Photo: US President Joe Biden (Getty Images)
US President Joe Biden confirmed that after months of intense diplomacy, Israel and Hamas have agreed through mediators to cease fire and release hostages. He also hopes for a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, according to Biden's 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," the President said.
He noted that he proposed the contours of this plan on May 31, 2024, after which it was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council.
"It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran - but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy," Biden added.
According to him, it is time to stop the fighting in the Gaza Strip and start working to build peace and security. Biden reminded that Hamas is holding three American hostages.
"Under this deal, we are determined to bring all of them home," he noted.
What is known about the agreement between Israel and Hamas
According to Israeli media, an agreement between Israel and Hamas was signed today in Doha (Qatar) with the mediation of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
The ceasefire and the release of hostages will take place in several stages. In the first stage, Hamas is to release 33 individuals. If this happens, negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages will begin on the 16th day after the agreement takes effect. In exchange, Israel will gradually withdraw its troops from most of the Gaza Strip while maintaining a presence in the buffer zone.
In addition, Israel has to release a thousand imprisoned militants. It is assumed that 50 militants will be released for each of the five Israeli women soldiers. The third stage involves the return of the bodies of hostages, as well as the development of a reconstruction plan and a new governance structure for Gaza.
According to Israeli media reports, the Defense Forces have already begun preparations to receive the released hostages.
The deal is expected to be officially announced in the near future. Tomorrow, the Israeli military cabinet must approve it. On Sunday, January 19, it will come into force.
