Ceasefire brings hope after 15‑month Gaza conflict
Reuters reported that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement to end the 15-month-long conflict in the Gaza Strip. Thousands of Palestinians have taken to the streets, with many celebrating. Palestinian flags are prominent in the crowd.
On Wednesday evening, hundreds of photos and videos from the Gaza Strip emerged online. Many faces show tears and disbelief, while some people are shouting in Arabic, "Allah akbar" (God is almighty - ed).
Some Palestinian posts also claim that "Hamas won the war against Israel," although the agreement does not specify a winning side.
The published recordings feature many young men and even children.
Ceasefire: Agreement reached on the Gaza Strip
An individual knowledgeable about the peace talks in Qatar reported that Israel and Hamas have agreed to halt hostilities in the Gaza Strip and to exchange Israeli captives for Palestinian detainees.
This information is also confirmed by CNN. Hamas has approved the agreement and conveyed its response to the mediators, said senior Hamas official Basem Naim to the station.
The ceasefire agreement paves the way toward achieving peace and ending the conflict that began in October 2023.
The multi-month negotiations were facilitated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with support from the United States. Among others, Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, participated in the negotiations, collaborating with President Joe Biden's team to secure the agreement, according to Reuters.
End of negotiations on the Gaza Strip
Israeli forces invaded the Gaza Strip following an attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. The sudden strike resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israeli soldiers and civilians, and Hamas factions kidnapped over 250 foreign and Israeli hostages.
Due to Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip, more than 46,000 people have died, according to data from Gaza's Ministry of Health. The Strip itself has suffered significant destruction.
President-elect Donald Trump has already commented on the agreement. "I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones," he conveyed on social media.
Source: x.com/Reuters/WP News
