Israel and Hamas have struck a cease-fire deal to end 15 months of violence and facilitate hostage releases

This deal is not just about peace; it’s also aimed at getting some hostages released. Remember, on October 7, 2023, Hamas and other groups kidnapped over 250 people during a major attack. Sadly, around 1,200 people lost their lives in Israel during that time.
According to a spokesperson, Hamas still has 98 hostages, and tragically, at least 34 of them are believed to have died while in captivity. The first part of the cease-fire is expected to see 33 hostages released, focusing on women, children, the elderly, and those who are sick.
When asked about the potential exchange of jailed Palestinians, the spokesperson mentioned that Israel is ready to make significant concessions. They haven’t confirmed the deal publicly yet, but it seems Hamas is on board.
So far, 117 hostages have been returned alive, with 105 of them freed in a prisoner exchange last November. This cease-fire aims to stop the ongoing conflict that has devastated large parts of Gaza, where the health ministry reports over 46,000 deaths due to the military offensive.
Negotiations for this cease-fire have been in the works for months, and it seems like things are finally moving in a positive direction. Interestingly, this deal comes just as the Biden administration is nearing its end.
President-elect Donald Trump even claimed that his recent victory played a role in making this deal happen, saying they’ve achieved a lot without being in the White House.
This is still a developing story, so keep an eye out for updates!