Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire
In the year November 12, 2024 Palestinians gather at the ruins of a house destroyed by an attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Majdi Fati | Nurphoto Getty Images
A cease-fire and ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, NBC News reported.
The developments come ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 – a date widely seen as a deadline for mediation, after the president-elect promised “hell to pay” if Hamas is not resolved. Israeli hostages when he takes office.
Mediators in Qatar presented a final draft of the deal on Monday with representatives from both sides, including officials from Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad. Hamas officials said there had been progress on some core issues, concluding “soon,” Reuters reported.
Delegations from both President Joe Biden and Trump attended the talks. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the proposed deal is based on a framework the Biden administration presented in May.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar thanked US officials for their efforts to push for a ceasefire. The agreement “looks much better than before,” Saar told the media on Monday, according to Reuters, adding, “I want to thank our American friends for the great efforts they are making to secure a bailout agreement.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s chosen Middle East envoy, has traveled to Qatar and Israel several times since being given the role.
Blinken described Witkoff’s involvement as “crucial,” stressing the importance of making sure Trump supports the deal once he takes office.
Over the past few months, both Hamas and Israeli officials have largely agreed to a ceasefire to release Israeli hostages held by the militant group in Gaza.
In the year Demonstrators hold placards in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, January 14, 2025, during a demonstration demanding action to free Israelis who have been held hostage in Gaza since October 2023, amid the ongoing war between Israel and militant group Hamas. group.
Jack Guez | Afp | Getty Images
But the lasting sticking point has been Hamas’s demand for a full hostage release, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an end to the war, while Israeli leaders say the Gaza campaign must continue until Hamas is disbanded.
Hamas planned and led an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 that killed 1,200 people and killed 253 more. 116 of those arrested have been released.
The October attack sparked the ensuing war between Israel and Hamas, which Palestinian health officials say has killed more than 46,000 people and led to an unrelenting Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has destroyed much of the enclave.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
