Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a multiphase ceasefire that commits them to end the war in Gaza, President Biden and Qatar's prime minister announced separately on Wednesday, El.kz cites npr.org.
"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," Biden said. He said it was the same as a proposal he made in May 2024, which was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.
Neither Israel nor Hamas immediately confirmed the deal, but officials close to the negotiations told NPR that both sides have reached a tentative ceasefire intended to end more than 15 months of the heaviest fighting ever between the two sides.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there remained "several unresolved points," but hoped "the details will be finalized tonight."
The deal comes after weeks of intensive rounds of infirect negotiatons in the Qatari capital Doha between Israel and Hamas, mediated by facilitators from the U.S., Egypt and Qatar. In an unusual twist, envoys from both President Biden's administration and President-elect Donald Trump's team were also there, pressuring the sides to close a deal.
The ceasefire is due to start on Sunday, according to Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Several technical details about the agreement remain unclear, and it will require formal ratification by Israel's cabinet before it can take effect. Israel's President Isaac Herzog called on "the cabinet and the government of Israel to accept and approve it when presented," saying, "At great cost in blood, through enormous security, diplomatic, and societal efforts, we have created a moment of opportunity. We must seize it."