Yesterday Wednesday (January 15th), Hamas and Israel reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza. Mediators stated that the agreement will take effect on Sunday (January 19th) and includes the release of hostages held during the 15 month bloody conflict.

(Screenshot source: Reuters)

As the Biden administration is about to step down, US officials have confirmed that the warring parties have reached an agreement to cease fire and release hostages in Gaza, ending the 15 month long Gaza war.

This complex phased agreement outlines a preliminary six week ceasefire and gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, tens of thousands of people have lost their lives.

The radical organization Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, will release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel.

At a press conference held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed announced that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which will take effect on Sunday. He said that negotiators are cooperating with Israel and Hamas on the steps to implement the agreement.

Mohammed said that the joint mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been successful, and the parties to the Gaza conflict have reached an agreement on ceasefire and exchange of detainees. The first phase of the agreement will begin on January 19th, with Hamas releasing 33 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing the Palestinians it has imprisoned. The mediator will cooperate with Hamas and Israel to promote the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

Sources say that after meeting with Hamas and Israeli negotiators in his office, the Qatari Prime Minister reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

On Wednesday evening local time, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying that Hamas had abandoned its last-minute demand to change the deployment of Israeli troops in the "Philadelphia Corridor" between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, at the strong request of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu's office said that Netanyahu called Biden and US President elect Donald Trump to express gratitude and stated that he will soon visit Washington.

US President Biden said in Washington, "This agreement will put an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip, increase much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages who have been imprisoned for over 15 months with their families

Despite the breakthrough, local residents stated that Israel's airstrikes in Gaza continued on Wednesday evening. Medical personnel say that attacks on Gaza City and northern Gaza have resulted in at least 32 deaths.

According to the local health department, this 15 month long conflict has resulted in over 46000 deaths.

A Palestinian official close to negotiations said that mediators are trying to get both sides to cease hostilities before Sunday's ceasefire.

Palestinians responded to the news of the agreement by celebrating on the streets of Gaza, where they face severe shortages of food, water, shelter, and fuel. In Khan Younis, crowds filled the streets with the sound of loudspeakers, cheering, waving Palestinian flags, and dancing.

Ghada said, "I'm happy. Yes, I'm crying, but those are tears of joy." She is a mother of five children.

In Tel Aviv, the families and friends of the Israeli hostages were pleased with the news, saying in a statement that they were "very happy and relieved by the agreement to bring our loved ones home".

An Israeli official said that Israel will not officially accept the agreement until it is approved by the Israeli security cabinet and government, and the vote is scheduled for Thursday. The agreement is expected to be approved.

In a social media statement announcing the ceasefire, Hamas called the agreement "an achievement for our people" and "a turning point".

US President elect Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social, "We have reached an agreement on the Middle East hostages. They will be released soon

Trump also attributed the agreement to his victory in the 2024 US presidential election and emphasized the contributions of his national security team and Middle East envoy.