New York: After 15 months of war, Israel and Hamas have finally reached a ceasefire deal, which will come into effect from January 19.
US President Joe Biden announced about the deal on Wednesday. The peace truce involves a ceasefire in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Soon after declaring the deal, Biden said the path-breaking IMEC Corridor that stretches from India to Europe through the Middle East could now become a reality.
The deal also paves the way for increased aid deliveries to Palestinians, reported the BBC. However, on Wednesday the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency claimed that Israeli airstrikes had led to at least 20 deaths.
Hamas had attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people. Hamas had reportedly taken 251 back to Gaza as hostages. The attack triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza. According to reports, more than 46,000 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes.
The road to this deal has not been easy.
I have worked in foreign policy for decades – this has been one of the toughest negotiations I have ever experienced.
And we have reached this point because of the pressure that Israel built on Hamas backed by the United States. pic.twitter.com/oAiw4WNgth
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 15, 2025
According to reports, 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas. Of them, 34 are presumed dead.
Know more about the deal
According to Joe Biden, the ceasefire in Gaza will be carried out in three phases. The first phase will last for six weeks or 42 days. In this phase, Israeli hostages will be swapped with Palestinian prisioners. Women, children, elderly and the injured will be handed over to Israel during this phase. Aid will also be sent into Gaza and no military operations will be allowed during the ceasefire period, reports claimed.
Towards the end of the first phase, the negotiations for Phase 2 will be finalised. The second phase will aim at the permanent end of the war in Gaza with the release of more hostages and withdrawal of Israeli troops. The mortal remains of Israeli hostages will be handed over to the country in the last phase. It will also see reconstruction of Gaza.
