Israel, Hamas Reach Tentative Deal For Ceasefire

Israel and Hamas have reached a temporary ceasefire deal Wednesday which would halt the 15-month conflict, the Qatar Prime Minister announced Wednesday.

The deal will reportedly cease hostilities for six weeks as both sides release hostages, set to be effective immediately, according to The New York Times Wednesday. The deal has yet to be ratified by Israeli officials, and neither side had officially endorsed the agreement as of Wednesday afternoon.

“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,” President-elect Donald Trump said on Truth Social Wednesday. “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.”

President Joe Biden said in remarks Wednesday that the deal was the same as what he proposed in May, and said he told his team to coordinate with the incoming Trump administration. When asked whether he or Trump should get credit for the deal coming together, Biden responded: “Is that a joke?”

It is so far unclear what the time frame will be for hostage release, according to The New York Times. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office told the NYT that much of the agreement remains in the air, with plans to discuss specifics later in the night.