Thursday, January 16, 2025
Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire starting Sunday, ending the 15-month Gaza war
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar, formally declared a ceasefire between Israeli and Palestinian groups in Gaza on Wednesday. Trending: Saudi Arabia strictly enforces vaccines for Umrah pilgrims
Mediators announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement, bringing an end to their horrific 15-month war in the Gaza Strip, signaling a significant shift in the deadliest and most destructive conflict between the two sides.
“Qatar, Egypt, and the United States of America are pleased to announce the conclusion of an agreement regarding Gaza,” Sheikh Mohammed said at a press conference. The agreement will go into effect on Sunday.
The agreement, which was reached after weeks of pushed talks in Doha, Qatar, offers a framework for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza and gives rise to optimism that the war may come to an end.
In accordance with the agreement, SheikMohammed clarified that Hamas will free 33 of the nearly 100 hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, including women, children, and elderly individuals.
As part of humanitarian aid, every day, hundreds of trucks delivering food, medicine, and other necessities will be permitted entry into Gaza. Most Viewed: Saudi Arabia to launch Google Pay in 2025
Civilians and Palestinians who have been displaced by the violence will start returning to their homes.
"Efforts are underway tonight to finalize the execution mechanisms of the agreement with the consent of both negotiating parties," Sheikh Mohammed continued.
Local health officials and international organizations report that over 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million citizens have been displaced and that over 46,000 Palestinians, including many women and children, have been killed, with over 100,000 injuries.
Experts worry that starvation may already be breaking out in northern Gaza, where tens of thousands of houses have been damaged and clinics are barely operating.
Sheikh Mohammed thanked the United States and Egypt, Qatar's friends, for playing a crucial role in moving the talks along. Recommend: Saudi Arabia proposes stricter rules for labor recruiting companies
"We are working with Israel and Hamas on the steps necessary to implement the ceasefire agreement," he stressed.
He added that the United States, Qatar, and Egypt will supervise the agreement's execution and that information about the second and third phases will be made public when the first phase is finished.
He highlighted the importance of everyone's cooperation by saying, "The agreement aims to bring peace, and the responsibility now lies with both parties to adhere to its terms."
Teams from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States will oversee the ceasefire's implementation, making sure it is followed and dealing with any possible violations, Sheikh Mohammed disclosed.
He also described how procedures will be put in place to monitor the agreement's development and address any potential violations. Join Saudi Expatriates channel on WhatsApp
Saudi Arabia welcomes the Gaza ceasefire and seeks peace and Palestinian rights:
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and praised the United States, Qatar, and Egypt for helping to make the accord possible.
Saudi Arabia called for the complete departure of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip and all Palestinian and Arab territories, the return of displaced people to their homes, and a halt to Israeli aggression in Gaza, highlighting the need for respecting the deal.
In order to address the root causes of the conflict, the Kingdom stressed the importance of expanding on this agreement.
Saudi Arabia expressed its support for the rights of the Palestinian people, especially their right to create an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital along the 1967 lines.
Saudi Arabia said it hoped the terrible Israeli conflict will cease permanently as a result of this deal. Join Saudi Expatriates channel on Telegram
Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire starting Sunday, ending the 15-month Gaza war - Saudi-Expatriates.com
