Israel, Hamas Reach Deal to Free Hostages in Gaza Milestone
Israel and Hamas reached a deal for a truce and the release of all hostages held by the militant group in Gaza, a major step toward ending a two-year war that’s devastated the Palestinian territory, destabilized the Middle East and sparked global protests.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sharren Haskel told Bloomberg TV a ceasefire is in effect as of Thursday.
The agreement was secured overnight after days of indirect negotiations between the warring sides in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. The talks, still ongoing, are being brokered by the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey and based on a plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump early last week.
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said in a social media post. All the roughly 20 live hostages held in Gaza, plus the remains of those who have died in captivity, will be freed “very soon” and Israeli forces will “withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” the US leader said.
Israel and Hamas both confirmed the deal. Crowds began gathering on Thursday morning in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv — a focal point for Israeli demonstrators calling for their release — in anticipation of a handover. There were also celebrations in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to witnesses.
An Israeli official said the plan would start to be implemented from midday local time, with the army beginning to withdraw from their positions in the following 24 hours. The security cabinet will meet at 5 p.m. and the full cabinet shortly after to formally approve the agreement, the official said, asking not to be identified by name discussing sensitive matters.
Israel’s equity benchmark posted the world’s second-biggest advance, while its currency and sovereign dollar bonds rallied the most among emerging-market peers, as investors cut risk premiums on the country. The shekel climbed to a three-year high.
As part of the agreement, Israel is slated to release almost 2,000 jailed Palestinians and allow a ramp up of aid to Gaza through United Nations agencies and other international bodies. Israeli forces will withdraw in steps until they reach a buffer zone just within Gaza’s border. The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday it had begun “operational preparations” to “transition to adjusted deployment lines.”
The talks in Sharm El-Sheikh are likely to continue over outstanding issues, including the reconstruction and future governance of Gaza. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have demanded that Hamas disarms and have no part in governing the territory. The group, designated a terrorist organization by the US, European Union and others, is yet to agree to that.
Netanyahu, whose government has long sought the total destruction of Hamas, hailed “a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.” He said he had a “very emotional and warm conversation” with Trump in which they congratulated each other on the “historic achievement.”
International leaders, including from Germany and the UK, welcomed the breakthrough. Many have denounced Israel’s campaign in Gaza and in some cases moved to recognize a Palestinian state in response. French President Emmanuel Macron, who has repeatedly clashed with Netanyahu over the conflict, said the “agreement must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution.”
Hamas said the deal amounted to an “end to the war on Gaza” and will “ensure the withdrawal of the occupation forces,” according to a statement on Telegram. It thanked the mediators and, in a notable shift in tone, said it valued “the efforts of US President Donald Trump.”
The group called on Trump to ensure Israel sticks to the terms and added it would “never relinquish our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved.”
Source : Bloomberg
