
US President Joe Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaks about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and captive release deal in the Cross Hall of the White House. AFP
“Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal,” Biden said in a statement.
“I’m proud to say Americans will be part of that hostage release on phase one,” he said.
Biden, in a news conference, said elements of this deal are what he laid in detail in May 2024 and that the first phase will last six weeks and includes a “full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas.”
In exchange, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Short link: