President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that a hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas and a ceasefire will take effect in Gaza shortly.
"WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!" said Trump in his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump had been vocal about the need to reach such an agreement, threatening Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., that there would be "hell to pay" if there was not such an outcome by his inauguration.
The final wording of the agreement has not been made public but drafts contemplate a two-phase deal, with the first one being a six-week-long ceasefire that allows for the negotiation toward a permanent one. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani is set to hold a press conference on the matter.
During that period 33 hostages are expected to be released, including women, children, men over the age of 50 and men under that age who are wounded and sick. It is not clear how many of those 33 hostages are alive. They would be released gradually throughout the 42-day period in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. There are about 98 hostages still being held in Gaza, with half of them believed to still be alive, including three Americans.
Israeli forces are expected to gradually withdraw to a buffer zone in Gaza near the border. Forces would also leave the Netzarim corridor, which crosses through central Gaza and the Philadelphi corridor, in the border with Egypt. It won't completely withdraw until all hostages are return, an Israeli official told the outlet. More aid is expected to enter Gaza during the ceasefire. The plan still needs to be approved by the Israeli cabinet to put an end to over 15 months of war.
Originally published on Latin Times
