HighlightWorld News

Israel, Hamas reach landmark agreement on Gaza ceasefire, release of hostages

364

After months of deadlock and more than 15 months of war, Israel and the militant Hamas reached a fresh Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal Wednesday, according to a U.S. official.

The deal, still not publicly announced, includes a six-week initial ceasefire phase and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel, an official briefed on the negotiations said.

The agreement, which is expected to unfold in three phases, was mediated by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt.

The truce is intended to halt fighting that’s devastated Gaza and destabilized the Middle East.

It comes just days before President-elect Donald Trump was sworn in as the U.S.’s 47th president.

The deal also comes after several previous waves of negotiations stalled and failed to reach a sequel to an agreement reached in November last year during which 105 hostages were released in a weeklong truce.

As part of that agreement, 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel were freed before fighting resumed.

The first phase of the deal is expected to see 33 civilians and women soldiers held hostage in Gaza released in the first 42 days.

In return, Israel will free as many as 1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails and its troops will withdraw from city centers in Gaza, a key coastal road and a strategic strip of land along the border with Egypt.

Negotiations to reach the second phase, when the remaining hostages would be released, would likely begin on the 16th day of the implementation of the deal.

In the second phase, more Israeli troops would also pull out of the Palestinian territory. A third phase, if it’s reached, would effectively mark the end of the war

Hamas kidnapped 251 people and killed more than 1,200 more on Oct. 7, 2023, when it attacked communities in southern Israel, triggering a massive military response from Israel.

Israel’s government believes that 94 hostages are still in Gaza, 60 of whom are assumed to be alive. Four of the hostages were taken in earlier incidents.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military operation, according to figures from the Hamas-run Ministry of Health. Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million population has been displaced.

The war in Gaza has upended the entire Middle East region, mushrooming into Israeli conflicts with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, Iran-supported Houthi rebels in Yemen and Iran itself.

The war also appeared to create conditions that led to the downfall of Syrian president Bashar Assad.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Tinubu’s forex policy revolutionizes domestic airline operations – United Nigeria airline boss

The Founder of United Nigeria Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has praised the...

NNPCL Dismisses Social Media Video Alleging Dispensing Poor Fuel Quality

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has issued a strong...

Kenyan Runner Edwin Koech Wins 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Carts Home $50,000

Kenya’s Edwin Kibet Koech has emerged victorious in the men’s division of...

Another Rep rejects allegation of $150m bribe from Binance Executive Gambaryan

Rep. Ginger Onwusibe, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on...

Lagos Assembly crisis: Obasa heads to court, challenges removal as Speaker

Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,...

FG Dismisses Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan’s Allegations

The Federal Government has officially denied allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, a...

US congressman drops bombshell, accuses USAID of funneling taxpayers’ money to Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Qaeda

A stunning revelation has rocked international circles as American Republican Congressman Scott...

African Union Launches Landmark Credit Rating Agency to Promote Regional Economic Integration

The African Union has taken a significant step towards promoting economic resilience...

UNIZIK expels student for assaulting lecturer

For allegedly assaulting a lecturer, authorities of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UniZik),...

Military chiefs’ visa denial: Canada declines comment, cites privacy concerns

The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has acknowledged media reports concerning the...

FG approves 150 medical personnel for correctional centres nationwide

In a bid to boost healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s correctional centres, the...

Ex-Abia Attorney General, Ihediwa, Regains SAN Title After 7-Month LPPC’s Suspension

Seven months after his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was withdrawn, the...

2Baba’s family petitions DSS over singer’s mysterious disappearance amid marital issues

…I’m not engaged to him, she fires back The ongoing marital crisis...

Russia, Nigeria Set for Historic Friendly Match

The Russian Football Union (RFU) has announced that the country’s men’s national...

Pres. Tinubu Arrives in Ethiopia for 38th AU Summit

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday night to...

FCT President Cup: EFCC FC, Galadima FC, FWC FC, N-Youth Academy Secure Semifinal Spots

The stage is set for the semifinals of the FCT President Cup,...

Southwest Governors Move to Establish Joint Security Outfit to Counter Rising Banditry, Insurgency Threats

Amid rising concerns over the renewed spate of banditry and insurgency in...

Abiodun’s Investment Drive: Ogun to host West Africa’s largest cotton and apparel industry, targets 40,000 jobs

The biggest cotton and apparel industry in West Africa, with a capacity...

Fire ravages 7-Storey Lagos building, leaving trail of destruction

A devastating fire swept through a seven-storey commercial building located in the...

FCT Police, Military Join Forces to Neutralize Deadly Abuja Armed Robbery Gangs

A collaborative effort between the FCT Police Command, military personnel, and local...