Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Several national news outlets have reported that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal that involves exchanging hostages.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday issued a release describing the deal.
“Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity,” the statement says. “I laid out the precise contours of this plan on May 31, 2024, after which it was endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council. It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran — but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy. My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.”
Tensions rose between Israel and Hamas following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
ABC news reported that the deal would begin on Sunday and would allow the release of 33 hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners and the removal of Israeli troops from the area. The deal would take place over six weeks, ABC reported.
Thousands of people have been injured or killed since fighting erupted.
Vigils and ceremonies have been held around the country since the beginning of the conflict, including in Columbia.
President-elect Donald Trump commented on the ceasefire on the social media application Truth Social.
“With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords,” he wrote.
