Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire agreement that also guarantees the release of hostages, Fox News has confirmed.
President Biden held a press conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and announced that the agreement would be rolled out in three phases.
Biden said the first phase would last six weeks and include “a complete and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of the Gaza Strip, including those held by Hamas, including women, the elderly, and the wounded.” This includes the release of a large number of hostages.” “And I’m proud to say that Americans will also be participating in that hostage release and the first phase. The vice president and I can’t wait to bring them home,” he said.
In return, Biden said, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinians would also be able to “return to their neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, and a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza would begin.” .
“Over the next six weeks, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements for a second phase, a permanent end to the war. Let me say it again: a permanent end to the war,” Biden said. Ta. “There are many details to negotiating a transition from phase one to phase two. But the plan is that if negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations continue.”
Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas approaches amid fears of terrorist group rearming in Gaza
“Once phase two begins, all remaining Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza and the temporary ceasefire will become permanent, in exchange for the release of the remaining living hostages, including male soldiers,” Biden said. said. “And finally, the third phase: the final remains of the slain hostages will be returned to their families and a major rebuilding program for Gaza will begin.”
(Noam Garay/Getty Images)
Prior to this, a person briefed on the matter told Fox News, “As a result of the Qatari prime minister’s talks with Hamas negotiators and separately with Israeli negotiators at the prime minister’s office, the Gaza ceasefire was announced and hostage release was agreed.” We have reached an agreement,” he said.
Separately, a senior Hamas official confirmed to Fox News that an agreement had been reached. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that final details were still being worked out, but he expected “details to be finalized this evening.”
Reuters also reported that an agreement had been reached, citing officials briefed on the agreement.
The conflict, which began with a brutal Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has left more than 1,200 Israelis dead on both sides, more than 250 taken hostage, and thousands of others killed.
President-elect Trump threatened last week that there would be “hell” in the Middle East if a deal was not reached before his inauguration, but he quickly expressed his praise.
“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. At TRUTH Social. “We are thrilled that the American and Israeli hostages will be able to return home and be reunited with their families and loved ones.”
The agreement was brokered by Qatari negotiators and facilitated by Egyptian mediators, but the United States was also heavily involved. Despite concerns about Hamas rearming and tensions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration applied strategic pressure to reach a deal.
A person familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that a weekend meeting between Netanyahu and Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, led to a breakthrough. Media reports say Witkoff’s assurances persuaded Netanyahu to accept the deal, despite threats from right-wing parties to leave the coalition if it passes.
Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, US President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East. (Photo provided by Prime Minister’s Press Secretary)
On Wednesday, President Trump praised the negotiators. “With this agreement in place, my national security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists.” said. the president-elect spoke on the TRUTH social. “We will continue to advance peace through strength across the region as we build on the momentum of this ceasefire and expand on the historic Abraham Accords. This is just the beginning of great things for America, and indeed the world. !”
Trump added: “We’ve accomplished a lot even when we’re not in the White House.” “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 further victories for America.
The agreement stipulates that the three hostages would be released on the first day, with subsequent releases weekly. Initially, priority will be given to women, children and men over 50, and later to include young men in humanitarian cases. Updates on the hostage situation alternate between announcements of survivors and confirmation of those who did not survive their captivity.
The execution of this operation relies on extensive coordination between the IDF, Shin Bet, Israeli Police, Ministry of Health, International Red Cross, and Egyptian authorities. Thirty-three Israeli hostages are scheduled to be freed in 42 days. The initial phase will focus on civilian women, children and female soldiers, followed by older men. The last hostage in this group is scheduled to be released on the 42nd day.
Hamas accepts draft Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement: officials
The second phase will begin on the 16th day, with efforts to release young men and soldiers and return their remains. Prime Minister Netanyahu assured hostage families that all prisoners would be included in the deal. In exchange, about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners of war will be freed and those convicted of murder will be barred from returning to the West Bank. Instead, they will be sent to Gaza, Qatar or Türkiye.
The ceasefire will also facilitate large-scale humanitarian aid to Gaza, with up to 600 supply trucks entering the country each day. By the 22nd, displaced people will be allowed to return to northern Gaza. Teams from Qatar and Egypt will manage vehicle inspections, but no inspections will be required at pedestrian crossings. The IDF will withdraw from the Nitzarim Corridor, but will maintain a limited presence along the Philadelphia Route.
Israeli soldiers stand at the entrance to a tunnel leading to Egypt during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in the Philadelphia Corridor area of southern Gaza, on September 13, 2024. Reuters/Amir Cohen (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
Information on the hostage situation remains limited, but assessments suggest most are alive. Before each release stage, Israel receives updated information about their identity and health status. The International Red Cross will oversee their transfer from Gaza to Israel, ensuring their safety while addressing logistical challenges such as crowd control.
Upon entering Israel, the hostages will undergo identification and initial interrogation by the Shin Bet and Israel Defense Forces. Medical teams deployed at the border will provide immediate treatment and patients requiring further treatment will be airlifted to hospitals. The hostages will be reunited with their families after receiving the necessary medical treatment.
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Israeli security forces prepare for a variety of contingencies to ensure the success of operations while maintaining stability. The coming weeks will be tense and emotional as families and citizens await the return of prisoners of war, including seven Americans, in this protracted conflict.
