Mediator Qatar has announced that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to end the 15-month-long war in Gaza. The deal includes a ceasefire and an exchange of captives, with Israeli prisoners held by Hamas to be swapped for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, confirmed the agreement in Doha on Wednesday, stating that the ceasefire will begin on Sunday, 19 January. Hamas has also communicated its approval of the deal to mediators, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office indicated that some aspects of the proposal remain unresolved. Netanyahu is expected to convene with his cabinet on Thursday to finalise the details.

The agreement will unfold in three phases, beginning with a six-week initial stage. During this time, Israeli forces will progressively withdraw from central Gaza, and Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes. In parallel, Hamas will release 33 Israeli captives, prioritising the release of women, children, the elderly, and civilian hostages. Talks for the second phase will commence 16 days after the start of the ceasefire, focusing on the release of remaining captives and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The final phase is expected to address the repatriation of deceased individuals and initiate reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

The agreement has garnered international support, with mediators from the United States and Egypt confirming its adoption. US President Joe Biden praised the deal, attributing its success to sustained diplomatic efforts and changing dynamics in the region. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also welcomed the ceasefire, emphasising the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a separate statement, US President-elect Donald Trump attributed the breakthrough to his administration’s policies and expressed relief that hostages would soon return to their families.

Despite the agreement, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Israeli military strikes continued across the territory on Wednesday, killing at least 59 people according to medical sources. The total death toll since the war’s onset has surpassed 46,700 Palestinians, with over 110,000 injured. Reports of relentless air and ground assaults, including attacks on residential homes and refugee camps, highlight the devastating impact on Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, has been targeted, further compounding the crisis. The international community has called for urgent measures to alleviate the suffering and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.