In a pivotal turn of events, Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement for a six-week ceasefire that will cease hostilities in Gaza, allowing for the release of hostages and Palestinian detainees, as announced by President Joe Biden on Wednesday afternoon.
During a press conference alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden revealed that Hamas and its militant partners are expected to free 33 hostages taken from Israel during the attacks on October 7, 2023. The first group of hostages is likely to include women, children, and elderly individuals who have been held for over a year and are still alive.
The initial phase of this agreement will enforce a complete ceasefire and mandate the withdrawal of Israeli forces from heavily populated areas in Gaza. Furthermore, this phase will facilitate the planned release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Biden elaborated that the second phase will concentrate on securing the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, including male soldiers, alongside a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area.
“This is a very positive afternoon,” Biden stated, recognizing the challenges faced in reaching this agreement.
He noted that his administration worked collaboratively with advisors from the former Trump administration to finalize the details of the deal. “The implementation will largely depend on the next administration,” Biden added. “In recent days, we have functioned as a unified team.”
As news about the ceasefire spread on Wednesday morning, President-elect Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to share his thoughts, declaring, “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”
Hamas has indicated plans to release three hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, followed by another four on the seventh day, as reported by the Associated Press. Additional releases are expected to occur on a weekly basis, with the first group of 33 hostages including five female Israeli soldiers, each to be exchanged for 50 Palestinian detainees, among whom are 30 militants serving life sentences.
In a statement earlier on Wednesday, Biden credited the successful negotiations to several factors, including “intense pressure on Hamas,” a “reduced influence of Iran” in the region, and “persistent and detailed American diplomacy.”
This announcement comes in light of troubling reports from UNICEF, which indicate that at least 74 children lost their lives in the Gaza Strip during the first week of 2025.
“Children have tragically been killed in numerous mass casualty events, particularly during nighttime strikes in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Al Mawasi, a designated ‘safe zone’ in the southern region,” UNICEF reported. “The most recent incident occurred yesterday, claiming the lives of five children in Al Mawasi.”
Biden noted that the third phase of the agreement will center on a “comprehensive reconstruction initiative” for Gaza and the return of any remains of hostages who lost their lives.
However, some Israeli officials have cautioned that the finer aspects of the agreement are still being finalized, according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
