Israel and Hamas reach deal on Gaza ceasefire and hostage release

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire Wednesday, a deal that will end 15 months of fighting in Gaza, Hamas and Israeli officials and a source briefed on the negotiations told NBC News.

WASHINGTON — A ceasefire deal was reached Wednesday to end 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip, according to President Joe Biden, Qatar's prime minister and Hamas officials.

The hard-won agreement will also free dozens of hostages held in Gaza, as well as Palestinians in Israeli jails, bringing the first real break in violence since a weeklong truce expired Dec. 1, 2023.

The deal will take effect Sunday, according to Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose country hosted weeks of intense negotiations.

Under the phased agreement, Israeli forces would withdraw to the Gaza border, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and for the transfer of hostages and prisoners. Large amounts of humanitarian aid would be shipped to the enclave and hospitals and health care centers would be rebuilt, he said.

Hamas, meanwhile, will release 33 hostages in exchange for 100 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences, according to a portion of the deal shared by Hamas. Israel will also release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners who were not involved in the Oct. 7 attacks, the text says, and an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners will also be released abroad or in Gaza.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ceasefire-israel-hamas-gaza-palestinians-rcna160847

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