Israel, Hamas reach agreement on ceasefire and hostage release - media (updated)
On Wednesday, January 15, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
This is reported by Reuters and CNN, Censor.NET reports.
It is noted that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement to end the 15-month war in Gaza.
The agreement, which has not yet been officially announced, provides for a six-week initial phase of the ceasefire and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians held by Israel, an official briefed on the talks told Reuters.
According to the foreign minister, the Israeli government is expected to vote on the deal on Thursday, January 15.
The agreement was the result of months of negotiations mediated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators with the support of the United States and was reached on the eve of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
Hamas told Reuters that its delegation had handed over to the mediators its agreement to a ceasefire and hostage return.
CNN writes that according to the agreement, Hamas and affiliated militant groups are expected to release 33 hostages taken in Israel during the attacks of October 7, 2023.
In return, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Once the agreement is confirmed, Palestinian civilians are expected to be able to return to northern Gaza, and there will be a massive influx of humanitarian aid into the strip, where residents have long faced dire humanitarian conditions.
The news is being updated...
