Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire agreement designed to halt 15-month Gaza war, reports Reuters

Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, a US official confirmed Wednesday, in the final days of President Joe Biden’s administration.The deal, which was earlier announced by a source briefed on talks in Qatar, comes after Biden had pushed strongly for an accord before Donald Trump returns to the White House on January 20.The implementation of the deal is likely to start on Jan. 19. Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging deal. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are set to be released from Israeli jails at the same time. The release of the hostages would be the first phase of the deal being finalised.Negotiations to reach the second phase – which is intended to end the war – would begin on the 16th day of the implementation of the deal. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION4:30 “HAMAS HAS TO BE DESTROYED TO THE POINT THAT…”6:13 PALESTINIAN STATE WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BECOME HAMAS, SAYS SA’AR

A ceasefire deal has been reached to end 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip, Hamas and Israeli officials and a source briefed on the negotiations told NBC News on Wednesday.The hard-won agreement will also free dozens of hostages held in Gaza, as well as Palestinianis in Israeli jails, bringing the first real break in violence since a weeklong truce expired Dec. 1, 2023.The new follows weeks of talks brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, amid a brutal winter for civilians in Gaza, as well as dramatic developments across the Middle East that have dealt setbacks to Iran, an Israeli foe. Source: AP News18 Mobile App – https://onelink.to/desc-youtube