Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement to conclude the 15-month Gaza war, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters on Wednesday. The conflict, marked by devastating casualties and widespread destruction, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and heightened tensions across the Middle East.
The deal, yet to be formally announced, includes an initial six-week ceasefire, the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. The agreement was brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators with U.S. backing.
Hamas confirmed it had approved the deal and agreed to release the hostages. Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is returning from Europe to oversee critical security cabinet and government votes on the proposal.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas gunmen breached Israeli security barriers, resulting in 1,200 Israeli and foreign deaths and the abduction of over 250 hostages. Israel’s military response led to the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, leaving the territory devastated.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump had exerted significant pressure to finalize the agreement before his January 20 inauguration, reiterating demands for the hostages’ release.
The deal may ease domestic criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the October 7 attacks and the handling of the war. The conflict also spread across the region, involving Iranian-backed militias in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, with Israel launching high-profile assassinations against leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah.
