 "Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal sealed, first phase to take effect on 19 January: Qatar PM")
Israel and Hamas on Wednesday (January 15) have agreed to a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal, potentially bringing an end to a devastating 15-month war that has destabilised the West Asia.
The deal, brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators with US backing, comes just days before the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
In a press conference in Doha, Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, confirmed that the ceasefire agreement will enter into effect on Sunday (January 19).
He said that the first phase of the deal will last 42 days. It will involve Israeli forces positioned along the Gaza border. For its part, Hamas is set to release 33 Israeli hostages.
The agreement has provisions for the return of displaced people to their homes, facilitating travel of wounded and sick people to receive treatment, and greater flow of humanitarian aid.
The first phase will set the foundation to potentially end the war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen breached security barriers, killing 1,200 Israeli soldiers and civilians and abducted more than 250 people.
In response, Israel launched a massive military campaign in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 46,000 people, according to Gaza health ministry figures.
Trump, Biden announce ceasefire
US President-elect Donald Trump hailed a hostage release and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAs his inauguration has neared, Trump repeatedly urged a resolution to the crisis, warning of severe consequences if the hostages were not released.
His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, worked alongside the outgoing Biden administration to finalise the agreement.
Biden, in a statement posted on social media platform X, said that the agreement was reached “after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar”.
Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.
— President Biden Archived (@POTUS46Archive) January 15, 2025
My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done – I will speak more about this soon. pic.twitter.com/iETWhGXEGA
Public in Gaza celebrates
Thousands of Gazans celebrated as news spread that a ceasefire deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas.
In central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah and elsewhere, people were seen gathering in groups, hugging and taking photos to mark the announcement.
Netanyahu faces public pressure
The return of the hostages is expected to ease domestic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government has faced intense criticism for the security lapse that led to the October 7 attack—the deadliest single day in Israel’s history.
However, on Wednesday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that “Several clauses in the framework remain unresolved, and we hope that the details will be finalised tonight.”
Regional implications
The conflict fuelled broader unrest in the Middle East, with Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen launching attacks on Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians.
The deal follows Israeli assassinations of top leaders from Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, actions that analysts say helped shift the balance of power in Israel’s favour.
While the cease-fire offers hope for a reprieve, the long-term stability of the region remains uncertain as both sides weigh the impact of the deal.
With inputs from agencies
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