Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire and Hostage Release After 15 Months of Fighting
WASHINGTON D.C. — A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, bringing a temporary halt to more than 15 months of conflict in Gaza. The deal, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, includes a multiphase plan that will see the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.
Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed the agreement, stating, “We are very happy to reach a deal today to stop the aggression against our people, but unfortunately we were able to reach the same deal last May.” A senior Israeli official also verified the deal, and President Joe Biden was expected to address the agreement later on Wednesday.
During a U.S. Senate hearing for Sen. Marco Rubio’s confirmation as secretary of state, Sen. James Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, publicly announced the ceasefire. "I've just been advised that there's been a ceasefire announced in Gaza. Before we all celebrate, though, obviously we're all going to want to see how well that executes," Risch said.
The first phase of the agreement calls for a six-week ceasefire and the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for around 1,000 Palestinian detainees. Negotiations took place in Doha, with representatives from both the Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump’s team applying pressure to finalize the deal. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was involved in the talks, with Trump previously warning that “all hell will break out” if Hamas did not release hostages before his inauguration.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities, with the majority being civilians. The Israeli Defense Forces report that 405 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the conflict.
The deal will proceed through multiple phases, with the first group of hostages expected to be released by Sunday. Israel’s Supreme Court will have 24 hours to permit an appeal, making Friday the earliest possible date for the ceasefire to take effect. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to present the agreement to his security Cabinet for approval before taking it to the full Cabinet, where approval is also expected.
The agreement also includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has suffered extensive destruction from Israel’s military operations. A third phase of the deal is expected to involve the reconstruction of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing and security structure.
Internationally, the war has drawn strong criticism, with Israel’s allies calling for a ceasefire while supporting its broader campaign against Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel and Hezbollah had previously agreed to a ceasefire in November, which has largely held.
The ceasefire agreement comes amid growing scrutiny of Israel’s military actions. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November for alleged war crimes, while Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders have accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel has rejected these claims as false and antisemitic.
Domestically, Netanyahu has faced pressure from both sides, with hostage families pushing for a deal while some government ministers argue that the agreement amounts to a surrender. As Israel moves toward implementing the ceasefire, divisions within the country remain stark.
“WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, shortly after the announcement.
Additional news coverage on this, from other local networks, can be found at the following sources:
NBC News, "Israel and Hamas reach deal on Gaza ceasefire and hostage release," published on January 15, 2025. Available online.
NPR, "Israel and Hamas reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement," published on January 15, 2025. Available online.
The Washington Post, "Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal, including hostage release, senior U.S. official says," published on January 15, 2025. Available online.
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