Fox News confirmed that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire that also secures the release of hostages.
"The Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement was reached after the Qatari prime minister met with Hamas negotiators and Israeli negotiators in his office," a source with knowledge of the matter told Fox News.
respectively, A senior Hamas official confirmed to Fox News that an agreement had been reached.
The conflict began with a brutal Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which has left more than 1,200 Israelis dead on both sides, more than 250 people taken hostage, and thousands more dead.
The deal, brokered by Qatari negotiators and facilitated by Egyptian intermediaries, also has strong U.S. involvement. Both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration have applied strategic pressure to hammer out a deal despite concerns about Hamas rearmament and tensions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition.
Sources told Fox Digital News that a weekend meeting between Netanyahu and President-elect Trump's incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff contributed to the breakthrough. Vitkov's assurances reportedly persuaded Netanyahu to accept the deal, despite threats from right-wing parties that he would withdraw from the coalition if the deal passed.
Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas moves closer amid fears of Gaza terror group rearming
(Noam Galay/Getty Images)
The agreement calls for the release of three hostages on the first day and then in weekly installments. Priority will be given first to women, children and men over 50 years old, with younger men in humanitarian cases to be considered later. Hostage situation updates will alternate between announcements of survivors and confirmation of those trapped.
The execution of the operation relies on extensive coordination between the IDF, Shin Bet, Israeli Police, Ministry of Health, International Red Cross and Egyptian authorities. Within 42 days, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released. The early stages will focus on civilian women, children and female soldiers, followed by older men. The last hostage in the group was scheduled to be released on the 42nd day.
Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire, hostage release draft agreement: official
Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with US President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. (Photo by Prime Minister’s Media Advisor)
On day 16, the second phase will begin, addressing the release of young people, soldiers and the return of remains. Netanyahu assured the families of the hostages that each prisoner would be accounted for in the deal. In exchange, some 1,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released and murderers will be banned from returning to the West Bank. Instead, they will be sent to Gaza, Qatar or Türkiye.
The ceasefire will also facilitate the delivery of massive humanitarian aid to Gaza, with up to 600 truckloads of supplies coming in every day. By the 22nd, displaced residents will be allowed to return to northern Gaza. Qatari and Egyptian teams will manage vehicle inspections, while pedestrian crossings will not require inspections. The Israel Defense Forces will withdraw from the Nizarim Corridor but maintain a limited presence along the Philadelphia route.
Israeli soldiers stand at the entrance to a tunnel leading to Egypt during ongoing clashes between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Philadelphia Corridor area of southern Gaza on September 13, 2024. Reuters/Amir Cohen (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
Although intelligence on the hostage situation remains limited, assessments indicate that most are still alive. Prior to each release phase, Israel will receive the latest information on its identity and health status. The International Red Cross will oversee their transfer from Gaza to Israel, ensuring their safety while addressing logistical challenges such as crowd control.
Upon entering Israel, the hostages will undergo identification and preliminary questioning by the Shin Bet and the IDF. Medical teams stationed at the border will provide immediate care, and those requiring further treatment will be airlifted to hospitals. After receiving necessary care, the hostages will be reunited with their families.
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Israeli security forces are preparing for various contingencies to ensure successful operations and maintain stability. The coming weeks will be fraught with tension and emotion as families and the country anticipate the return of those captured in the long-running conflict, including seven Americans.