Qatar’s Prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has been reached on Wednesday (Jan 15).
"The two belligerents in the Gaza Strip have reached a deal on the prisoner and the hostage swap, and (the mediators) announce a ceasefire in the hopes of reaching a permanent ceasefire between the two sides," Al-Thani told a press conference in Doha.
But at the time of writing this, confirmation is still awaited from Israel's end.
Earlier, office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Associated Press news agency that no deal has been finalised and the final details were still being sorted out.
Details of Gaza ceasefire deal
As per the Qatari PM, the agreement will enter into effect on Sunday, January 19. In the first phase, 33 Israeli hostages will be released.
Phase one of the agreement, which will last for 42 days, will include a ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces away from populated areas.
The details of phase two and three of the ceasefire deal will be finalised during the implementation of phase one, he said.
"A joint team from the three countries (United States, Qatar and Egypt) will monitor the implementation of the agreement, and everything is being agreed upon, and will be in place, hopefully, on the day of execution (of the ceasefire)," the Qatari PM told reporters.
Biden confirms Gaza ceasefire
Confirming the ceasefire, US President Joe Biden said: “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.”
Biden said the first phase will last six weeks and includes a “full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas.”
In exchange, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, he told reporters.
“I’m proud to say Americans will be part of that hostage release on phase one,” he said.
“The road to this deal has not been easy. This is one of the toughest negotiations I’ve ever experienced,” Biden added.
Trump announces Gaza ceasefire
Before Biden made his remarks, US President-elect Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social, saying the hostages will be released shortly.
"WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!" the US president-elect posted in all-caps.
Trump, in a subsequent post, said the "EPIC" ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of his 2024 US Presidential election win.
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"This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones," Trump said in his post.
"We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!," he added.
(With inputs from agencies)