Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday.
“We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!” the president-elect wrote in all caps on his Truth Social platform.
An Israeli source told the country’s Channel 12 News broadcaster that the Palestinian terrorist organization said “yes” to the terms in writing.
Qatar’s Al Jazeera reported that a Hamas delegation led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya handed the approval to mediators in Doha and Cairo.
Hamas issued an official statement saying it “acted with responsibility and a positive attitude” in its response to the latest proposals in Doha.
According to Reuters, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Al Thani scheduled a press conference for Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, preparations were reportedly being made in Jerusalem to convene the Security Cabinet, which is made up of senior ministers, and the full government to approve the ceasefire agreement on Thursday.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in a statement shared by his office that he was cutting short his diplomatic visit to Europe and would return to Jerusalem on Wednesday night “to participate in the expected discussions and votes in the Security Cabinet and government.”
The Wall Street Journal said mediators ironed out the terms on Tuesday night but were stuck waiting for Hamas’s approval. Citing Arab sources, the newspaper reported that Mohammed Sinwar, the de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza, gave his “in principle” approval to the terms of the deal.
Sinwar’s agreement reportedly came mere hours after Hamas publicly announced for the first time that negotiations were in its “final stages.”
Reuters outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters.
