Global calls for an end to the war in the Middle East received a huge boost after Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages being held in Gaza following separate meetings with Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.
A US official confirmed the deal to journalists on Wednesday.
In recent days, Pressure to put an end to the fighting had ratcheted up as mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States intensified efforts to cement an agreement.
According to a source briefed on the talks, a “Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal was reached following the Qatari PM’s meeting with Hamas negotiators and separately Israeli negotiators in his office”.
The announcement comes after months of botched bids to end the deadliest war in Gaza’s history, and days ahead of the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, who immediately hailed the deal prior to its official announcement by the White House.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social network, “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!”.
Recall that Trump had warned Hamas of “hell to pay” if it did not free the remaining captives before he took office, and envoys from both his incoming administration and President Joe Biden’s outgoing one had been present at the latest negotiations.
