US President Joe Biden stated on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have agreed on a ceasefire deal and hostage, ending the conflict in Gaza while paving the way for more humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.
Speaking from the White House, Biden affirmed the deal that marked the end of 15 months of violence. “I can announce that a ceasefire and a hostage deal have been reached between Israel and Hamas,” he stated, underlining that the agreement was important in bringing relief to the suffers.
He said the ceasefire would end the fighting in Gaza, return hostages to their homes, and give a burst in humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
#WATCH | “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, after more than 15 months of conflict that began with Hezbollah’s brutal massacre on October 7. More than 15 months of terror for the… pic.twitter.com/ZHY5vy0QjC
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025
This ceasefire concludes a 15-month conflict ignited by a deadly Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in 1,210 Israeli fatalities, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 hostages. In response, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The fighting has left much of Gaza in ruins and displaced a significant portion of its 2.3 million residents.
According to an official statement, it was the result of intensive diplomatic efforts between the US, Egypt, and Qatar. The White House added that the agreement would put an end to the fighting in Gaza, provide much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and reunite hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity, the statement quoted Biden.
