Israel and Hamas Agree to 42-Day Ceasefire, Hostage and Prisoner Exchange Planned

As part of the agreement, 33 Israeli hostages, including military personnel and civilian women, will be released. The agreement will come into effect on January 19, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced at a press conference on Wednesday.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States will set up a joint team in Cairo to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, he added.

Hamas has confirmed the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement on Gaza, describing it as a «turning point in the conflict» with Israel.

Other points of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement draft, obtained by Sputnik, include:

Commenting on the development, outgoing US President Joe Biden stated that the newly reached deal between Israel and Hamas will halt the fighting in Gaza, increase humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and enable the release of hostages who will «reunite with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.»