Ceasefire in Gaza after 15 months! The agreement will be in three phases.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, made a statement regarding the negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel during a press conference held yesterday in the capital, Doha.

Al Thani stated that an agreement had been reached on prisoner exchange, the restoration of sustainable calm, and the establishment of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza; he expressed that the implementation of the agreement would begin next Sunday. Noting that the first phase of the agreement would last for 42 days, Al Thani conveyed that Hamas would release 33 Israeli prisoners in the first phase in exchange for the release of some Palestinian prisoners. Following the attacks launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, more than 156,000 people had been injured or killed.

THE AGREEMENT WILL BE IN 3 PHASES

Meanwhile, the details of the agreement have also emerged. According to the agreement, for each day that the ceasefire continues, 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including 50 fuel trucks, will enter Gaza, with 300 of the trucks being sent to the north of the strip. All Palestinian women and children under the age of 19 detained by Israel since the October 7 attacks will be released by the end of the first phase. Hamas will release 3 hostages on the first day of the agreement, with a total of 33 Israeli hostages being released. Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for each civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian detainees for each Israeli female soldier, totaling 1,000 Palestinians to be released. In the first phase, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza, and displaced Palestinians will return to the region. On the 16th day of the ceasefire, negotiations for the subsequent phases of the agreement will begin with the aim of releasing all Israeli hostages and the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army.

HAMAS: A GREAT GAIN FOR OUR PEOPLE

Hamas also made a statement following the ceasefire agreement. In a written statement, it was said, "This is a result of our resistance that has lasted for more than 15 months. The agreement is a gain for our people, our resistance, and the free world in stopping the attacks on Gaza. We express our gratitude to Turkey, South Africa, Algeria, Russia, China, and all countries that have shown a dignified stance by supporting Palestinian rights and the oppressed in Gaza." According to a report from Israeli army radio, it was stated that the Israeli security cabinet would convene this morning to vote on the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. A written statement from the Israeli presidency indicated that President Isaac Herzog had met with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which will carry out the prisoner exchange between the parties.

ERDOGAN: WE WELCOME THE AGREEMENT

Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestine, a series of statements were made. In a post on X, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, "We welcome the conclusion of the ceasefire negotiations with an agreement. We hope that the agreement will pave the way for lasting peace and stability. God willing, we will continue to stand by the people of Gaza, mobilizing all our resources to heal their wounds and help them stand up again." In a statement from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was emphasized that "in the upcoming process, all phases of the agreement must be implemented, the ceasefire must be made permanent, and urgent humanitarian aid must be delivered to Gaza." Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also stated in a phone call with Hamas officials that Turkey's support for Palestine will continue.

BIDEN AND TRUMP IN "CEASEFIRE" RACE

The elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that an agreement had been reached on a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. In a statement on his account on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, "An agreement has been reached regarding prisoners (ceasefire in Gaza). They will be released shortly. Thank you." Claiming that he had a "big" share in the ceasefire, Trump added, "We achieved so much before I even came back to the White House. Imagine the great things that could happen when I return to the White House." Meanwhile, U.S. President Biden, speaking in front of cameras after the agreement, stated, "I can announce that a ceasefire has been achieved. The Palestinian people have experienced hell. Too many innocent lives have been lost, and too many communities have been destroyed in this process. With this agreement, the people of Gaza can finally recover and start rebuilding (the city)." Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Biden and Trump for helping to reach an agreement for the release of hostages in Gaza.

SUPPORT POURED IN FROM AROUND THE WORLD

European leaders made statements following the agreement. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, "The UN is ready to increase humanitarian aid to thousands of Palestinians," while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her satisfaction with the agreement. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also stated on social media, "The agreement must be implemented consistently. All hostages must be released." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked, "This ceasefire is for innocent Palestinians and for the many lives lost." A written statement from the Italian Prime Minister's office stated, "Italy welcomes the reaching of the agreement with great satisfaction."

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated that he welcomed the agreement and considered it an important development.