President-elect Donald Trump says “we have a deal for the hostages” and that “they will be released shortly”
The deal follows months of talks, with Qatar one of the key mediators .more than a year of fighting in Gaza.
If confirmed, the agreement would be a huge breakthrough in a war that has left tens of thousands of people dead and many more injured and displaced from their homes. The deal outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase that includes a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of Palestinians to north Gaza, the Reuters news agency reported, citing an official briefed on the agreement.
Hamas will release 33 hostages, including all women, children and men over the age of 50, the agency said. In return, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees It is hopefully a way for the near 100 hostages to be released from their captivity and returned to their families. The bodies of those who did not survive will be returned for burial.
It is hopefully a way for the bombardment on Gaza to end, for the living to be released from attack, displacement and starvation and for the bodies of those dead beneath its rubble to be retrieved and added to the 46,000 already lost there.
For an end to this 15 months of depravity, there must surely be gratitude and relief.
However, what has been agreed in Doha fails to bring long-term safety or security to Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and beyond.
