Middle East Peace Deal: A Step Towards Ending the Gaza War
Negotiators Reach Phased Deal to End Gaza War
DOHA: Negotiators reached a phased deal on Wednesday to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, the U.S. and Qatar said, after 15 months of bloodshed that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and inflamed the Middle East.
Complex Accord Outlines Ceasefire Phase
The complex accord outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and release of hostages taken by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Ceasefire to Take Effect on Sunday
At a news conference in Doha, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday. Negotiators are working with Israel and Hamas on steps implementing the deal, he said.
U.S. President Welcomes Deal
“This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in Washington.
Palestinians Celebrate
Palestinians celebrated in the streets of Gaza, where they have faced an acute humanitarian crisis with severe shortages of food, water, and fuel.
Israeli Hostage Families Rejoice
Families of Israeli hostages and their friends rejoiced at news of the deal in Tel Aviv.
Pact Follows Months of Negotiations
The pact follows months of tortuous, on-off negotiations conducted by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with the backing of the United States, and comes just ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Egyptian President Welcomes Agreement
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also welcomed the agreement in a post on X.
Phased Ceasefire to Halt Fighting
If successful, the planned phased ceasefire would halt fighting that has reduced much of heavily urbanized Gaza to ruin and displaced most of the tiny enclave’s pre-war population of 2.3 million. The death toll is still rising daily.
Phase One: Release of Israeli Hostages
Phase one of the deal entails the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, children, and men over 50.
Hamas Official Welcomes Deal
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the accord was “a great gain.” The group, Gaza’s dominant Palestinian militant power, told Reuters its delegation had handed mediators its approval for the ceasefire agreement and return of hostages.
Israel’s Last-Minute Demand Dropped
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Hamas had dropped a last-minute demand and there were still a number of unresolved items in the deal. “We hope that the details will be closed tonight,” it said in a statement.
Background: Israeli Invasion of Gaza
Israeli troops invaded Gaza after Hamas-led gunmen broke through security barriers and burst into Israeli border-area communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 soldiers and civilians and abducting over 250 foreign and Israeli hostages.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Israel’s air and ground war in Gaza has since killed over 46,000 people, according to Gaza health ministry figures, with hundreds of thousands of displaced people struggling through the winter cold in tents and makeshift shelters.
Conclusion
The phased deal marks a significant step towards ending the devastating war in Gaza, which has caused immense human suffering and destruction. If implemented successfully, the ceasefire could bring much-needed relief to the people of Gaza and pave the way for a more peaceful and stable future in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the phased deal entail?
A: The deal outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase, followed by the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages taken by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Q: When will the ceasefire take effect?
A: The ceasefire is set to take effect on Sunday.
Q: What are the next steps?
A: Negotiators are working with Israel and Hamas on steps implementing the deal.
Q: What is the significance of the deal?
A: The deal marks a significant step towards ending the devastating war in Gaza, which has caused immense human suffering and destruction.