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Negotiators have reached a phased deal to end the 15-month-long war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, an official involved in the talks disclosed on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden has confirmed.
The conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and destabilised the Middle East, may finally see a resolution through the outlined three-phase plan.
“Soon the hostages will return home to their families,” Biden said in an address in Washington DC.
The deal begins with an initial six-week ceasefire.
This deal includes a full and complete ceasefire, with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a prisoner exchange: 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. By the 16th day of the ceasefire, discussions for phase two will commence, aiming to free all remaining hostages, establish a permanent ceasefire, and achieve a complete Israeli withdrawal.
The third phase focuses on the return of deceased individuals and Gaza’s reconstruction, to be overseen by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.
The agreement follows months of intermittent negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar with US support. Hamas confirmed its verbal approval of the ceasefire and hostage release plan, awaiting further details to formalise its commitment.
Biden said that he is “deeply satisfied” that this day has arrived for the sake of Palestinians in Gaza who have seen “unimaginable devastation” as well as those in Israel who still have loved ones in captivity.
He added that far too many innocent individuals have perished, saying that the Palestinians can rebuild without Hamas thanks to this agreement.
The ceasefire could halt a devastating conflict that has left Gaza in ruins, displaced millions, and worsened tensions across the region. The war’s repercussions have extended beyond Gaza, with increased unrest in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, raising fears of a broader conflict involving Israel and Iran.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an assault on Israeli communities, killing 1,200 soldiers and civilians and abducting over 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory strikes and ground invasion of Gaza have since killed over 46,000 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and left the enclave in shambles.
The ceasefire agreement arrived just days before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who pressured negotiators for swift action, warning repeatedly that there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released by the time he took office. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, collaborated with President Joe Biden’s administration to finalise the deal.
While the agreement offers hope, significant challenges remain. The sides must negotiate the future governance of Gaza, with Israel rejecting both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Additionally, billions of dollars will be needed to rebuild Gaza and ensure security guarantees for Israel.
Gaza’s conflict spilled over across the Middle East, with Iranian-backed proxies in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen targeting Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians.
The deal emerged a few months after Israel eliminated the top leaders of Hamas and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah in assassinations that gave it the upper hand.
The phased deal could ease tensions in Israel, where public anger has surged against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the security lapses that led to the October 7 attack. However, successful implementation will depend on sustained cooperation and further negotiation to ensure long-term peace.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi and Melissa Enoch
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