Qatar, a key mediator in the ceasefire talks, confirmed the development, saying an agreement has been reached on “all the provisions and implementation mechanisms” of the first phase of a ceasefire plan.
Hamas said in a public statement that it has concluded an “agreement stipulating an end to the war on Gaza, the occupation’s withdrawal from it, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government on Thursday to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement, adding in a statement: “A great day for Israel”.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 67,183 people and wounded 169,841 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, attacks and about 200 were taken captive
The Israeli military says that “following the political echelon’s instructions and due to the situational assessment, [the army] has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement”.
“As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon,” the military statement said on Telegram.
The troops continue to be deployed in the area “prepared for any operational development”, it warned.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad says ceasefire deal result of ‘enormous sacrifices’ in Gaza
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the second largest armed group in Gaza, says the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange are not a “gift from anyone”, but, at the same time, does not deny international efforts in securing the deal.
“We emphasise the enormous sacrifices made by our Palestinian people, and the courage and bravery of its fighters on the ground who confronted the enemy forces and showed unprecedented courage in combat,” the PIJ said in a statement.
“In these historic moments, our people will not forget their great martyrs who played the most important role in keeping the resistance steadfast,” it added.
Senator Chuck Schumer says Gaza deal brings ‘huge sigh of relief’
The Democratic Senate leader, who is the most senior Jewish politician in the US, says while “the work is not over”, any step to “end this nightmare” in Gaza is welcome.
“This brings a huge sigh of relief to the hostage families, to all of Israel, and to Palestinians who have suffered for so long in this horrific humanitarian catastrophe,” Schumer said in a statement.
“Now we await details and final acceptance and implementation from all parties of the first phase,” he said.
“And we must begin the even harder work of closing negotiations: to end the war, to start building the day after in Gaza without Hamas, to surge humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, and to build a lasting peace that ensures security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” he added.
Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said the truce deal is “cruelly overdue” after two years of suffering, and it will “not erase all [the Palestinians] have endured”.
Callamard also called on Israel to immediately end its suffocating blockade on Gaza and allow the “unhindered flow” of aid into the besieged enclave.
The Amnesty chief said that for “any lasting ceasefire agreement to succeed”, it must include an “immediate stop to Israel’s genocide”, as well as “concrete steps” to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories and “dismantle the system of apartheid” there.
“The current plan – the so-called ‘Trump peace plan’ – falls woefully short in this. It fails to demand justice and reparations for victims of atrocity crimes or accountability for perpetrators,” Callamard added.