Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal to end 15 months of conflict in Gaza
(VOVWORLD) - Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that mediators said would take effect on Sunday and include a release of hostages held there during 15 months of bloodshed that devastated the Palestinian enclave and inflamed the Middle East.
The complex phased accord outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, where tens of thousands have been killed.
Hostages taken by militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. At a news conference in Doha, the Qatari Prime Minister said the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday.
"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,” US President Joe Biden said in Washington.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Biden and US President-elect Donald Trump to thank them and said he would visit Washington soon.