Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement to end over a year of conflict in the Gaza Strip, President Biden and Qatar’s prime minister announced Wednesday. The deal follows intense negotiations led by Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt.
“After many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal,” President Biden said in a statement. “This agreement will halt the fighting in Gaza, provide critical humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages with their families after more than 15 months.”
Speaking at the White House, Biden added, “This war could only end with a hostage deal. Today marks a deeply satisfying moment for Israel, for the families who have endured such pain, and for the innocent people of Gaza who have suffered deeply.”
The deal, set to take effect Sunday, includes the release of American hostages as part of its first phase. “The vice president and I look forward to welcoming them home,” Biden said.
As news spread, crowds celebrated in Gaza’s Deir al Bala, with celebratory gunfire echoing across the region. A young woman in Khan Younis shared her emotions: “The past 15 months brought tears and loss, but today, I feel joy.” An elderly man added, “This is the hope we have been waiting for since the war began.”
Despite the announcement, Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza City and Khan Younis on Wednesday.
Families of American hostages welcomed the news, expressing relief in a statement: “We are deeply grateful for this agreement to bring our loved ones home. We thank President Biden, President-elect Trump, and their teams for their efforts over the past 467 days of hardship.”
The agreement outlines a phased ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. It also includes provisions for humanitarian aid to Gaza and plans to enable displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.
Negotiations were conducted in Doha over recent weeks, with President Biden’s top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, working closely with President-elect Trump’s appointee, Steve Witkoff, to finalize the terms.
The deal marks a critical step toward ending a prolonged and devastating conflict.