Qatar announced on Thursday that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The breakthrough, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, includes provisions for hostage release, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian aid delivery to the Palestinian territory.
The landmark agreement was confirmed early Thursday by Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who announced that “an agreement was reached on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid.”
The deal marks the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the beginning of hostilities, offering renewed hope for regional stability and humanitarian relief for Gaza’s population.
US President Donald Trump validated the agreement on his Truth Social platform, stating: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of our peace plan.”
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Israel’s government is expected to convene at 14:00 local time (12:00 BST) to formally approve the deal. If endorsed, the ceasefire would take effect shortly afterward.
Key Elements of the Agreement
The first phase of the agreement reportedly includes:
– Cessation of Israeli military operations in Gaza
– Withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas
– Increased humanitarian aid entry to Gaza
– Exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners
The US administration anticipates all remaining Israeli hostages will be released by Monday under the terms of the agreement, though a Palestinian source told the BBC that Hamas had not yet received the final list of prisoners Israel plans to release in exchange.
Regional Reactions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the announcement as “a great day for Israel,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “a moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world.”
Reports indicate cautious celebrations have begun in both Gaza and Israel, where families of hostages and displaced civilians welcomed the news as a long-awaited sign of respite.
The UAE, which has been actively supporting humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza and advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, has consistently called for the protection of civilian lives and respect for international humanitarian law throughout the crisis.
As the implementation of the agreement begins, international attention will focus on whether this first phase can lead to a comprehensive peace settlement and the long-term reconstruction of Gaza.
