Efforts to end the massacres that lasted for months before the eyes of the whole world yielded results, and Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement for Gaza. After 467 days, the ceasefire agreement included the exchange of prisoners; It was stated that the first phase will last 42 days and will start on Sunday, January 19.
THE ceasefire decision was welcomed with joy
The announcement that an agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas was welcomed with joy in the Gaza Strip. The people took to the streets.
ISRAEL SECURITY CABINET WILL MEET
The Israeli cabinet will meet today to approve the agreement.
Qatari Prime Minister Al Thani said that the ceasefire will come into force on January 19.
The Prime Minister called for calm in Gaza until Sunday.
CALL FROM PRESIDENT HERZOG TO THE GOVERNMENT
Israeli President Isaac Herzog made a statement following the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Herzog stated that he supports the efforts of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his negotiation team on the agreement and called on the government to approve the ceasefire agreement. Herzog said that the agreement must be approved to bring the Israelis home and that there is nothing more important than the return of the prisoners to their homes.
Stating that the terms of the agreement were not easy but necessary, Herzog stated that an opportunity was created with tremendous security, diplomatic and social efforts, and said, “We must seize this opportunity.”
Calling for great sensitivity towards the families of all captives, Herzog said, “I ask you to embrace the anxious and grieving families who are afraid that their loved ones will not return, especially in the first phase of the agreement.”
Thanking Qatar, Egypt and the USA for their efforts towards the agreement, Herzog said, “We will continue to act with all our strength until every stage of the agreement is achieved and the last hostage is returned.”
RULES OF THE AGREEMENT
Reuters news agency shared the details of the agreement. Accordingly, 600 trucks of humanitarian aid, 50 of which carry fuel, will enter Gaza every day that the ceasefire continues. 300 of the trucks will be sent north of the strip.
Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under the age of 19 detained since October 7, 2023, by the end of the first phase.
Hamas will release 3 hostages on the first day of the agreement. In addition, a total of 33 Israeli hostages will be released in the first phase.
The first phase of the ceasefire will last 42 days.
Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for every liquid hostage and 50 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli female soldier.
This means the release of more than 1000 detained Palestinians.
In the first phase of the agreement, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza and displaced Palestinians will return to the area.
On the 16th day of the ceasefire, negotiations will begin for the next stages of the agreement, with the aim of releasing all Israeli prisoners and completely withdrawing the Israeli army.
100 ISRAELI IN HAMAS HAND
Hamas took 250 people hostage during the Aqsa Flood Operation in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
About 100 Israelis are still held captive in the Gaza Strip, and the army believes at least a third of them are dead.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 46 thousand Palestinians, more than half of whom were women and children, lost their lives in Israel’s retaliatory attack.
TRUMP DEFENDED THAT HE HAD A GREAT SHARE IN THE ceasefire
In his statement on his account on the social media platform called Truth Social, Trump announced that an agreement was reached between the parties.
Donald Trump said in his statement, “An agreement has been reached regarding the prisoners in the Middle East (a ceasefire in Gaza). They will be released in a short time. Thank you.” he said.
In his new statement later on the same account, Trump linked the ceasefire agreement to his victory in the presidential elections on November 5, 2024.
“This epic ceasefire agreement could only happen as a result of our historic victory in November.” Commenting, Trump stated that his administration is “seeking peace” and that they will show this to the whole world.
Trump also thanked Middle East Special Representative Steve Witkoff and emphasized that they will continue to work closely with Israel and other allies to ensure that “Gaza does not become a safe haven for terrorists again.”
Noting that they will further expand the Abraham Accords, Trump said, “This is just the beginning of great things that will happen for America and even the world.” made his assessment.
Claiming that his share in the ceasefire was “big”, Trump said, “We have achieved so much before even coming to the White House. Imagine the wonderful things that can happen when I come back to the White House.” He stated: