Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire that also guarantees the release of the hostages, Fox News said.
“The agreement to stop firing in Gaza and release the hostages was reached following a meeting between the Prime Minister of Qatar and negotiators with Hamas, as well as Israeli negotiators in his office,” said a source briefed on the matter to Fox News.
Separately, a senior Hamas official confirmed to Fox News that an agreement had been reached.
The conflict, which began with a brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has left more than 1,200 Israelis dead, more than 250 captured, and thousands more killed on both sides.
The deal, crafted by Qatari negotiators and facilitated by Egyptian negotiators, also saw heavy involvement from the United States. Both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration have applied strategic pressure to conclude the deal, despite concerns about the resurgence of Hamas and internal rifts within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
Sources told Fox News Digital that a weekend meeting between Netanyahu and Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, led to a breakthrough. Witkoff’s assurance reportedly convinced Netanyahu to accept the deal, despite threats from the right-wing party to withdraw from the coalition if it succeeds.
CREATURE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS CLOSES WHILE DEFENDING GROUP LOOKING TO REBUILD GAZA
(Noam Galai/Getty Images)
The agreement calls for the release of three hostages on the first day, followed by weekly collections. Women, children, and men over 50 will be prioritized first, with younger men in humanitarian situations included later. Updates on the hostages’ conditions will alternate between announcements of survivors and confirmation of those who did not survive the abduction.
The operation depends on extensive cooperation between the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, the Ministry of Health, the International Red Cross, and the Egyptian authorities. In 42 days, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released. The initial stages will focus on ordinary women, children and female soldiers, followed by elderly men. The last captive in this group is scheduled to be released on the 42nd day.
HAMAS ACCEPTS STARTED GAZA CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT, EXCLUSION OF ENMISSIONS: OFFICIALS.
Prime Minister Netanyahu Meets with US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. (Photo by Media Adviser to the Prime Minister)
On the 16th day, the second phase will begin, talking about the release of the young men, the soldiers, and the return of the remains. Netanyahu assured the families of the hostages that every abductee is included in the agreement. An estimated 1,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange, while murder prisoners will be barred from returning to the West Bank. Instead, they will be sent to Gaza, Qatar, or Turkey.
The ceasefire will also provide important humanitarian aid to Gaza, with up to 600 truckloads of goods entering every day. On the 22nd, the displaced residents will be allowed to return to northern Gaza. Teams in Qatar and Egypt will handle vehicle inspections, while pedestrian crossings will not require inspections. The IDF will withdraw from the Nitzarim tunnel but maintain a limited presence along the Philadelphi route.
Israeli soldiers stand at the entrance to the tunnel leading to Egypt amid ongoing clashes between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in the Philadelphia Corridor area of ​​southern Gaza, September 13, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
Although intelligence on the conditions of the hostages remains limited, investigations show that many are alive. Before each stage of the evacuation, Israel will receive new information about its identity and health conditions. The International Red Cross will oversee their transfer from Gaza to Israel, ensuring their safety while addressing logistical challenges such as crowd control.
Upon entering Israel, the hostages will have their identities verified and asked questions about the Shin Bet and the IDF. Medical teams stationed at the border will provide immediate care, and those who need further treatment will be airlifted to hospitals. After receiving the necessary care, the hostages will be reunited with their families.
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Israeli security forces are preparing for various contingencies to ensure that the operation is successful while maintaining stability. The coming weeks will be marked by tension and emotion as families and the nation await the return of those arrested, including seven Americans, in the long-running conflict.
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