Israel and Hamas agree on Gaza ceasefire and hostage release

Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement that halts more than a year of military operations. fighting in gaza stripPresident Biden and Qatari Prime Minister made separate announcements on Wednesday. The agreement came after a week of intense negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt.

“After months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, today Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage agreement,” Biden said in a written statement. “This agreement will halt fighting in Gaza, provide a surge of much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages and their families held captive for more than 15 months.”

“There was no other way to end this war than with a hostage trade, and I am deeply satisfied that this day has finally come for the people of Israel,” Biden said at the White House on Wednesday afternoon. And for the families who are suffering and waiting, and for the innocent people of Gaza who have experienced unimaginable devastation because of the war. ”

He said the hostages to be released in the first phase of the deal would include American nationals and that “the vice president and I can’t wait to bring them home.”

The deal is scheduled to go into effect on Sunday, the White House said.

As news of the agreement broke, crowds gathered in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip and gunshots could be heard in celebration.

“I’m very happy,” a young Palestinian woman from Khan Younis, Gaza City, told CBS News. “Over the past 15 months I have experienced tears and laughter, martyrs and imprisoned people, but I am finally feeling joy.”

One elderly man said, “I’m very happy. Today is the day I’ve wanted to hear this since the war started.” “God is giving us hope,” he added.

The ceasefire has not yet taken effect, and Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City and Khan Yunis continued on Wednesday after the news broke.

Families of American hostages still being held in Gaza expressed relief at the news of the agreement.

“We are deeply grateful that we have finally reached an agreement between Israel and Hamas that will bring our loved ones Omer, Edan, Sagui, Itai, Keith, Gad, and Judy home. “The family said in a statement. “We have waited 467 days while our families have suffered life-threatening injuries, abuse, torture, and sexual violence. Thank you Biden for your constructive efforts to make this possible. Thank you, President-elect Trump, and their team.”

The draft contract is basically agree Arab, U.S. and Israeli officials told CBS News earlier this week. It sets out a gradual framework for a ceasefire and provides for the exchange of hostages still held by Hamas with a number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. This includes access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and the ability for Palestinians in Gaza to eventually return to the areas they evacuated.

Intense negotiations have been taking place in Doha in recent weeks, with President Biden’s top Middle East adviser Brett McGurk having been in the region for the better part of a month. McGuirk works closely with Steve Witkoff, who President-elect Donald Trump has named as special envoy to the Middle East.

Biden spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday about the negotiations, and again on Wednesday. A senior U.S. official described the recent conversation as “a very warm phone call that was emblematic of this moment.”

In Israel, the families of about 100 hostages still being held after Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed by Hamas and its allied militants, are trying to negotiate with Hamas. It holds regular meetings to demand an agreement. the release of their loved ones. The Israel Defense Forces said it believed about a third of the hostages were already dead.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since the war began, and most of the Gaza population has been displaced and lives in camps, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Humanitarian organizations have struggling to deliver aidand experts warn of starvation.

What does the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas include?

The details of the agreement are similar to the plan Biden outlined last year. The agreement is scheduled to take effect on Sunday.

The process will consist of three phases, each lasting about 42 days, according to a draft mediator and Biden’s explanation seen by CBS News earlier this week.

In the first phase, Hamas plans to free 33 women and children held hostage, as well as hostages over the age of 50, according to a draft document seen by CBS News. Biden said the first phase would include the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the populated areas of the Gaza Strip.

Israel is expected to release 30 Palestinian women and children from prison for every woman and child held hostage. Hamas will release all hostages over the age of 50, and Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners over the age of 50.

A senior Israeli official told CBS News that the release of Israeli hostages will begin on the first day of the 42-day ceasefire period. Biden said Americans would be among the first group of hostages to be released.

Hamas planned to release three hostages on the first day, according to a draft seen by CBS News. On the seventh day, Hamas would release four hostages. Since then, Hamas has released three hostages taken from Israel every seven days, starting with the living and returning the bodies of the dead.

A full ceasefire would be established in Gaza during the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and aid would be allowed to enter the country, according to a draft document seen by CBS News. International aid groups and the United Nations are expected to resume operations in Gaza and begin rebuilding the enclave’s infrastructure, including water, electricity and sewage systems.

The second phase of the agreement includes the release of all remaining Israeli male hostages and the withdrawal of all Israeli Defense Forces from Gaza, the president announced on Wednesday.

Biden said the third phase would include replacing the bodies of dead hostages and prisoners of war and beginning reconstruction of Gaza.

President Trump accepts ceasefire and hostage release agreement

In his remarks, Biden noted that the deal would largely take effect after his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, takes office.

“While this agreement was developed and negotiated under my administration, its terms will largely be implemented by the next administration,” the president said. “We have been speaking as one team over the last few days.”

After news of the hostages and ceasefire agreement broke, President Trump posted on social media.

“This EPIC cease-fire agreement could only have come about as a result of the historic victory in November, because it meant that our administration sought peace and negotiated an agreement that ensures the safety of all Americans and our allies. Because we showed the world that we do,” Trump wrote. . “We are thrilled that the American and Israeli hostages will be able to return home and be reunited with their families and loved ones.”

Trump said his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, would continue to work closely with Israel to “ensure that Gaza never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists.”

“We have accomplished so much without being in the White House,” Trump wrote. “Imagine all the great things that will happen when I return to the White House and my administration is fully recognized and ready to secure more victories for America!”

With just five days left until his inauguration, President Trump is at his Mar-a-Lago mansion on Wednesday.

Asked how much credit President Trump should get for the deal, White House National Security and Communications Advisor John Kirby told CBS News’ Caitlin Huey Burns: . I don’t think the hostages care about that, I don’t think their families care about that, but the Palestinians in Gaza don’t care who gets the credit for this. I don’t think so. Please try visiting the (Middle East) region as well. ”

Kirby said the Biden administration is working closely with Trump’s team.

“It’s important to remember that this is an agreement that President Biden negotiated and put on the table in May and that had international support, and that’s why we’re here talking about implementing it,” Kirby said. “This is an agreement that will allow us to do so,” he said. “And that was due to a lot of intense diplomacy by American diplomats.”

Margaret Brennan, Marwan Al Ghoul, Mais Al Bayaa and Michal Ben Gul contributed to this report.

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