Hope for peace in Gaza: Israel and Hamas sign US-backed ceasefire deal

Sharm el-Sheikh (Web Desk): Israel and Hamas on Thursday reached a landmark agreement to halt hostilities and exchange captives, marking the first stage of a peace plan spearheaded by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the Gaza conflict.

Officials from both sides confirmed that the accord was finalized after indirect negotiations in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. News of the agreement sparked jubilation across both Israeli and Palestinian communities.

According to the terms of the deal, Israel will suspend its military operations and begin a partial withdrawal from Gaza, while Hamas will release the Israeli hostages taken during the assault that triggered the war. In return, Israel will free a number of Palestinian detainees.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the ceasefire would be implemented once his government gives its formal approval, following a security cabinet session scheduled for Thursday.

A spokesperson for the Israeli government confirmed that the agreement had indeed been signed, adding that the truce would come into effect within 24 hours after the cabinet meeting. Within the following 72 hours, hostages still held in Gaza are to be released.

A source familiar with the details of the accord said Israeli forces would start their withdrawal from Gaza within 24 hours of the signing.

An Israeli official further noted that all 20 Israeli hostages believed to be alive in Gaza after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, would be freed under the deal.

However, the exchange would not include the prominent Palestinian political figure Marwan Barghouti, the spokesperson clarified.