Gaza ceasefire deal announced after 15 months of war

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a multi-phased deal to end the Gaza conflict, releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for captives. 

The agreement, which will enter into force on Sunday, January 19, will end 15 months of brutal war in Gaza that has laid waste to the enclave and killed more than 46,000 Palestinians. 

US President Joe Biden said in a statement on social media platform X that this deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families. 

The agreement will be implemented in three stages. The first stage, which will last for 42 days, will see a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas as well as the release of Israeli hostages, in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners. It will also include intensifying the safe entry and distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, rehabilitating hospitals, health centers, and bakeries.

The second phase will include a permanent end to the war, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third phase will include a major reconstruction plan for Gaza. 

Qatar’s prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, said that Qatar, Egypt and the United States will work together to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire deal, Qatar News Agency reported. 

"For 411 days, meetings have continued with our partners and the two parties to the conflict until we reached this long-awaited moment," Qatar premier said. "But this is just the beginning.”