Israel and Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire and hostage transfer, Qatar has announced.

US and Qatari officials said Wednesday that negotiators have achieved a gradual agreement to end the war between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of fierce fighting.

The agreement calls for a six-week truce and the gradual departure of Israeli soldiers from Gaza in an effort to stop the violence that has killed tens of thousands of people.

The accord also calls for the exchange of Palestinian inmates held by Israel and hostages held by Hamas.

The ceasefire has been praised as a vital step toward peace and will go into effect on Sunday.

US President Joe Biden stated in a statement from Washington that the agreement will “stop the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”

Amidst a dire humanitarian situation that includes food, water, and fuel shortages, Palestinians in Gaza rejoiced over the accord. A mother of five who was relocated, Ghada, said, “I am happy, yes, I am crying, but those are tears of joy.”
The relatives of the Israeli captives also benefited from the agreement. “We welcome with overwhelming joy and relief the agreement to bring our loved ones home,” a group speaking on behalf of the families of 98 Israeli captives stated.

The agreement comes after months of challenging talks supported by the US and mediated by Qatar and Egypt.

If effective, the gradual ceasefire will bring much-needed respite to Gaza, where the majority of its 2.3 million citizens have been forced to flee their homes due to intensive air and ground attacks that have destroyed much of the territory. The number of fatalities is growing every day.

According to the agreement’s first phase, 33 Israeli hostages—all women, children, and males over 50—must be freed. Gaza’s ruling Hamas group hailed the agreement as “a great gain” and endorsed the ceasefire and return of the hostages.
Hamas made a last-minute demand, but the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that there were still unsolved concerns.

When Hamas invaded Israeli border villages on October 7, 2023, 1,200 troops and civilians were killed, and more than 250 hostages were taken. This marked the start of the battle.

More than 46,000 people have died in Israel’s ensuing air and ground conflict in Gaza, according to data from the Gaza Health Ministry. There are still hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals living in substandard shelters.