Breaking the chains: Hostage release and ceasefire begin in Gaza Deal of hope between Hamas and Israel

Hamas and Israel have reached a significant agreement involving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages.

The deal brokered with the involvement of Qatar and Egypt, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, Caliber.Az reports.

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Mohammad bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, announced the agreement. The ceasefire is set to take effect on January 19 and will initially last for 42 days, during which the terms of the next phase will be outlined.

As part of the first phase, Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages. “The mediators are acting as guarantors for the continuation of negotiations to ensure a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip,” the Qatari prime minister noted.

In a statement published on its official Telegram channel, Hamas confirmed the deal, describing it as a significant achievement for Palestinians. “The agreement to end the aggression against Gaza is an achievement of the entire Palestinian people and a turning point in the conflict with the enemy,” the movement stated.

Hamas expressed gratitude to those who stood in solidarity with Gaza, singling out Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in facilitating the ceasefire.

Israel’s political-military cabinet is scheduled to vote on the agreement on January 16, Reuters reported, citing an official source. According to Al Jazeera, the agreement’s initial phase will see Israeli forces withdraw to a depth of 700 meters along Gaza’s borders.

Two US citizens, Natalie and Judith Ranan, held hostage by Hamas, have already been released and are currently in Israel, as reported by MSNBC. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President-elect Donald Trump for supporting the hostages’ release.

“The prime minister thanked US President-elect Trump for his help in advancing the release of [hostages held in the Gaza Strip] and for helping Israel end the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families,” the Israeli government stated. Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to securing the return of all abducted individuals and welcomed US cooperation to ensure that Gaza does not become a haven for terrorism.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog endorsed the agreement, calling it “the right and necessary step” in a televised address. “We are now obliged to take a step and rectify the situation. I support Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] and the negotiating team that pushed for this agreement,” he stated, urging the government to approve the deal.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also welcomed the ceasefire, expressing hope that it would lead to peace and stability. Writing on X, he stated, “We hope [the agreements] will benefit our region and all of humanity, especially our Palestinian brothers, and open the way to permanent peace and stability.” Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering support for Palestinians and pledged continued aid to Gaza.

The European Commission echoed this sentiment, with Deputy Head Dubravka Šujica welcoming the agreement. “I welcome the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas, which will bring relief to all those affected by this devastating conflict,” she wrote on X. Šujica reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting long-term peace and reconstruction in the region.

This agreement represents a crucial step towards alleviating tensions in Gaza, with hopes for sustained peace and a resolution to ongoing hostilities.

By Tamilla Hasanova