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Israel and Hamas have temporarily agreed to a ceasefire deal, mediators said Wednesday, pausing a devastating 15-month conflict in Gauze Eliminate and increase the ability to interrupt the deadliest and most destructive combat between bitter enemies.
The deal, which comes after weeks of grueling negotiations in the Qatari capital, promises to release dozens of hostages held by Hamas in phases, free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel and allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to what remains of their homes. It would also flood much-needed humanitarian aid into the devastated area.
Three US officials and one from Hamas confirmed that a deal had been reached, while a senior Israeli official said the details were still being worked out.
All three U.S. officials requested anonymity to discuss the outline of the deal ahead of the official announcement by the brokers in Doha.
President Joe Biden was preparing to speak about the landmark deal later Thursday, officials said.
The agreement still needs to be approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, but is expected to take effect in the coming days.
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The Israeli government will vote on the Gaza ceasefire deal on Thursday, a government official told Reuters.
The agreement is expected to allow for an initial six-week cessation of hostilities, which will be followed by the opening of negotiations on a full end to the war.
Over the course of six weeks, 33 of the nearly 100 hostages will be reunited with their loved ones after months in captivity without contact with the outside world, although it is unclear if all are alive.
It remained unclear exactly when and how many displaced Palestinians would be able to return to what remained of their homes, and whether the deal would lead to a complete end to the conflict and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza — key demands by Hamas for the release of remaining prisoners.
Many longer-term questions remain about Gaza, including who will rule the territory or oversee the daunting task of reconstruction.
Still, the announcement offered the first sign of hope in months that Israel and Hamas may be winding down the deadliest and most destructive war they have ever fought, a conflict that has destabilized the wider Middle East and sparked protests around the world.
Hamas sparked the conflict with its cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 250 others hostage. Israel responded with a fierce offensive that killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas health officials, displaced about 90% of Gaza’s population and sparked a humanitarian crisis.
More than 100 hostages were freed from Gaza in a week-long ceasefire in November 2023.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
