US President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced that a ceasefire and hostage deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas, ending over 15 months of conflict, calling it the “toughest negotiations” he has ever experienced. The deal, structured in three phases, includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages, including Americans, in the first phase.
In his remarks, the US president said, “It’s a very good afternoon because at long last, I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas. More than 15 months of terror for the hostages, their families, and the Israeli people and more than 15 months of suffering by the innocent people of Gaza. Fighting in Gaza will stop and soon the hostages will return home to their families.”
Biden described the negotiations as one of the toughest he has experienced, attributing the deal’s success to the pressure Israel built on Hamas with US support.
“Those who have followed the negotiations can attest that the road to this deal has not been easy. I have worked in foreign policy for decades. This is one of the toughest negotiations that I have ever experienced. I have reached this point because of the pressure that Israel built on Hamas, backed by the US. The US also organised a coalition of 20 countries to stand up to attacks by the Houthis, including their missile attacks in Israel. At the G20 in Delhi in September 2023, I rallied key countries behind a vision of an economic carter from India across the Middle East to Europe that vision can now become a reality.”
Three phases of the deal
Biden said that the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas would be implemented in three phases.
The deal’s first phase will last six weeks and includes a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, and the release of hostages held by Hamas, including women, the elderly, and the wounded. Israel will also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners during this phase.
The second phase will involve negotiations for a permanent end to the war, with the release of remaining living hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. If negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue as long as the negotiations are ongoing.
“When Phase two begins, there will be an exchange for the release of the remaining living hostages, including male soldiers and all remaining Israeli forces will be withdrawn from Gaza and the temporary ceasefire will become permanent,” said Biden.
In the third phase, the remains of any hostages who have been killed will be returned to their families, and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin.
“And finally Phase 3 — any final remains of hostages who have been killed will be returned to their families and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin,” he added.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have killed at least 46,707 Palestinians and wounded 110,265 since October 7, 2023. In Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed during the Hamas-led attacks on that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.
