Supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped in a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during a protest in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 15, 2025, demanding a deal to bring all hostages home. reacted to the news about Gaza ceasefire negotiations. .
Ronen Zvrun | Reuters
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement on Wednesday, a major development in a 15-month war that has wreaked havoc and heightened tensions across the region.
Israeli officials briefed on the talks confirmed the transaction Go to NBC News. The long-awaited agreement followed a meeting between Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Hamas negotiators, and a separate meeting with Israeli negotiators.
“We have just been informed by the administration that a deal has been reached,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said on the Senate floor Wednesday. “The ceasefire is very good news for Israel, for the United States, for the Palestinian people, and especially for the hostage families who have been waiting painfully for a long time.”
of israel defense forces He also posted a message related to the deal regarding X, writing, “Wings of Freedom is the name given to the IDF’s preparations for the return of the hostages.”
News of the agreement sparked jubilant demonstrations in the streets of both Israel and Gaza late Wednesday local time.
Palestinians react to news about a ceasefire agreement with Israel in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025.
Mohammed Salem | Reuters
The development comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20th. Many see this day as the de facto deadline for mediation, as President-elect Trump vowed that Hamas would pay a “hell of hell” unless it was released. By the time he takes office, Israelis have become hostages.
“There is an agreement regarding the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released soon,” President Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social.
Qatari mediators presented the final draft of the agreement on Monday to representatives from both sides, including the head of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad.
Supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped in a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023 hug each other during a protest in Tel Aviv during ceasefire negotiations in Gaza demanding a deal to bring all the hostages home at once. . Israel, January 15, 2025.
Ronen Zvrun | Reuters
Special envoys from both President Joe Biden and President Trump are attending the latest round of negotiations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the proposed agreement is based on the framework laid out by the Biden administration in May.
Sen. Marco Rubio, President Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, was testifying at his Senate confirmation hearing when news of the deal broke on Wednesday. He noted that Steve Witkoff, who was nominated by President Trump to be special envoy to the Middle East, participated in the talks that took place after Witkoff’s appointment was announced.
Palestinians react as they wait for news of a ceasefire agreement with Israel in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025.
Mohammed Salem | Reuters
“All parties involved deserve credit for achieving a ceasefire.” [Senate committee] “The chairman was just announced,” Rubio said, “but Steve Witkoff is a key component of that and he’s been involved in it since day one.”
Witkoff is not yet an official envoy for the U.S. government and will take up his post after President Trump takes office on January 20.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar thanked American officials for their efforts in pushing for a ceasefire. According to Reuters, Searle told the media on Monday that the deal “looks much better than before,” adding, “I would like to thank our friends in the United States who have spent so much effort securing the hostage deal. I want to thank you,” he added.
Witkoff has also traveled to Qatar and Israel several times to participate in discussions since being given this role.
Blinken called Witkoff’s involvement “critically important” and stressed the importance of ensuring President Trump continues to support the deal after he takes office.
U.S. investor Steve Witkoff attends the final day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images
Over the past few months, Hamas and Israeli officials have reached an agreement in principle to reach a ceasefire in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages held by the Gaza-based militant group.
However, what remains at issue is Hamas’s demand that the full release of the hostages must lead to a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an end to the war, while Israeli leaders insist that Hamas be dismantled. He insisted that the Gaza operation must continue until the end of the war.
Hamas planned and led the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took another 253 hostages. Approximately 116 of the prisoners were subsequently released.
The October attack sparked a subsequent Israeli-Hamas war and a relentless Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, which Palestinian health authorities say killed more than 46,000 people and destroyed much of the blockaded territory. Announced.
This is a story in development. Please check the latest information.
