Media outlets reported at 18:30 Greek time that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, including provisions for the release of hostages, following marathon negotiations between their delegations in Doha.
According to Reuters and Agence France-Presse, citing officials familiar with the talks, the two opposing sides have agreed to end the 15-month-long conflict. An Israeli official confirmed the agreement to the Times of Israel. Similarly, an unnamed U.S. official told Axios journalist Barak Ravid that a deal had been reached regarding the Gaza Strip. Both an American and an Arab official indicated to the Times of Israel that an official announcement is expected in the coming hours.
Al Jazeera cited a statement from Hamas, reporting that the Palestinian Islamist movement gave its delegation in Doha the green light to finalize the agreement. Meanwhile, the Egyptian news network Al Qahera also confirmed the news of the agreement.
In its official statement, Hamas stated briefly that it had sent an official response to the ceasefire proposal being negotiated in Doha, which also includes terms for the release of hostages. Hamas’s political wing noted that its delegation in Doha responded “responsibly” to the proposal, without clarifying whether it accepted or rejected the deal.
Global leaders and foreign governments have already begun reacting to the news of the agreement, signaling its potential impact on the region.
Further details and an official announcement are expected soon.
Source: ANA-MPA / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
