Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement to halt more than a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip, President Biden and Qatar’s prime minister announced separately on Wednesday. The deal comes after a week of intense negotiations mediated by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt.
“Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal,” Mr. Biden said in a written statement. “This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”
Speaking from the White House Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Biden said, “There was no other way for this war to end than with a hostage deal, and I’m deeply satisfied this day has finally come, for the sake of the people of Israel, and for the families waiting in agony, and for the sake of the innocent people in Gaza who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war.”
He said Americans will be among the hostages released in phase one of the deal, “and the vice president and I cannot wait to welcome them home.”
The deal is expected to take effect Sunday, the White House said
As news of the agreement broke, crowds gathered in Deir al Bala in Gaza, and celebratory gunfire was heard.
“I’m extremely happy,” one young Palestinian woman in the Gaza city of Khan Younis CBS News. “The past 15 months I experienced tears, laughters, lost martyrs and people went into prison, but finally I feel the joy.”
“I am very happy, and today is the day I wished to hear about since the beginning of the war,” an elderly man said. “God is sending us hope,” he added.
Read the full report on CBS News.
