In a crucial turn of events, Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement for a cease-fire that will pause all military actions in Gaza for a duration of six weeks. This truce aims to facilitate the release of both hostages and Palestinian detainees, a development confirmed by President Joe Biden during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden revealed that Hamas and its militant partners are set to release 33 hostages taken from Israel during the attacks on October 7, 2023. The first group of hostages is expected to comprise women, children, and elderly individuals who have been held for more than a year and are still alive.
The initial stage of this agreement will enforce a total ceasefire while requiring Israeli forces to pull back from heavily populated areas in Gaza. Moreover, this phase will include the planned release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Biden explained that the second phase will center on securing the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, which includes male soldiers, alongside a complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the area.
“Today marks a very positive development,” Biden remarked, acknowledging the challenges that accompanied the negotiation process.
He further shared that his administration worked alongside advisors from the previous Trump administration to bring the agreement to fruition. “The responsibility for implementation will largely rest with the next administration,” Biden stated. “Over the last few days, we have come together as one team.”
As news of the ceasefire spread Wednesday morning, President-elect Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to voice his support, saying, “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”
Hamas is expected to release three hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, with another four planned for the seventh day, according to reports from the Associated Press. Additional releases will follow weekly, with the initial batch of 33 hostages including five female Israeli soldiers, each of whom will be exchanged for 50 Palestinian detainees, 30 of whom are militants serving life sentences.
Earlier on Wednesday, Biden highlighted several contributing factors to the successful negotiations, including “intense pressure on Hamas,” a “reduced influence of Iran” in the region, and “ongoing and detailed American diplomacy.”
This announcement arrives amid troubling reports from UNICEF, which indicate that at least 74 children have perished in the Gaza Strip during the first week of 2025.
“Children have sadly been killed in multiple mass casualty events, particularly during nighttime strikes in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Al Mawasi, a designated ‘safe zone’ in the southern region,” UNICEF reported. “The most recent incident occurred yesterday, resulting in the deaths of five children in Al Mawasi.”
Looking ahead, Biden indicated that the third phase of the agreement would prioritize a “comprehensive rebuilding plan” for Gaza, as well as ensuring the return of any remains of hostages who were killed.
However, some Israeli officials have cautioned that the finer points of the agreement are still being finalized, according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
