Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to pause the intense fighting in Gaza, with mediators announcing the agreement on Wednesday. This could signal the beginning of the end to the brutal conflict between the two sides.
The ceasefire, which will unfold in three phases, includes the release of dozens of hostages held by militants in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. It also aims to allow hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Gaza to return to their homes, and bring much-needed humanitarian aid to the war-torn region.
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said the ceasefire will begin on Sunday. However, he stressed that its success will depend on both Israel and Hamas acting in good faith to ensure the deal doesn’t fall apart. He made the statement in Doha, where weeks of intense negotiations took place.
In Washington, President Joe Biden hailed the deal, emphasizing that the ceasefire would hold as long as both sides continue talks for a long-term peace agreement. He credited months of “dogged American diplomacy” for bringing the deal to fruition and noted that his administration and former President Donald Trump’s team had been working together on this.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified late Wednesday that the ceasefire agreement with Hamas is not yet final, with some details still being worked out.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said the remaining issues involve confirming the list of Palestinian prisoners who will be released. Any final agreement must also be approved by Netanyahu’s Cabinet.
The Oct. 7 attack
Number of people killed in Israel: Around 1,200
Number of hostages taken into Gaza: 251
Number of hostages in Gaza believed to be alive: 62, including two from before Oct. 7, 2023
Number of captives in Gaza believed to be dead: 36, including two from before Oct. 7, 2023
The Israel-Hamas war
Number of Palestinians killed in Gaza: Over 46,000 (This figure from the Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but the ministry says more than half of the dead were women and children.)
Number of Palestinians wounded in Gaza: Over 109,000
Number of militants the Israeli military says it has killed: Over 17,000 (The military has not provided evidence to support the claim.)
Number of Israeli soldiers killed since Oct. 7, 2023: 840
Number of rockets fired at Israel from Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023: Over 10,000
