A ceasefire deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas to pause the Gaza war for hostage releases, following extensive negotiations.
Doha: So, it looks like Israel and Hamas have finally come to an agreement on a ceasefire. This deal is set to pause the fighting in Gaza to allow for the release of hostages. It’s been a long time coming, with weeks of talks happening in Qatar.
The plan is to release dozens of hostages held by Hamas in stages, while Israel will also free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Sounds like a complicated situation, right?
On Wednesday, some U.S. officials and a Hamas representative confirmed the deal. An Israeli official mentioned that they’re still working out the details. The agreement needs to get the green light from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Cabinet, but it should kick in soon.
Initially, it looks like there will be a six-week pause in fighting, and they’ll start talking about ending the war altogether. That’s a big step forward!
Hamas took 251 Israeli hostages during the attacks on October 7, and they still have 94 of them. Israel thinks about two-thirds of those hostages are still alive, which is a relief to hear.
It’s still a bit murky about when displaced Palestinians can return home or if this deal will lead to a full end to the conflict. The U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been working behind the scenes to make this happen, especially after over 100 hostages were freed during a truce last month.
One of the hostages, Emily Damari, has been held since the October attacks. Her family has been really vocal about the situation, and it’s been tough for them. During a recent session in the House of Commons, MPs discussed what the government is doing to support the hostages and their families.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy mentioned that they’re doing everything they can to ensure the hostages’ safety and well-being. He’s hopeful that this deal will lead to a ceasefire and a chance to rebuild Gaza, which is crucial for peace in the region.
As of now, the UK Foreign Office hasn’t commented on the ceasefire agreement, but everyone is watching closely.
