"The Middle East deal I first proposed last May is finally coming to fruition... After so much pain, destruction and loss of life, today the guns have fallen silent in Gaza," President Joe Biden announced on Sunday the start of a ceasefire in Gaza and celebrated the release of three Israeli hostages. Under the terms of the agreement, dozens more hostages will be released in the coming days.

The Israeli government identified the freed hostages as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher, and the Israeli military confirmed that the three women had been detained by Israel and on his way home. Biden said the hostages "appear to be in good health."

Speaking in Charleston, South Carolina, Biden announced that humanitarian aid has begun arriving in Gaza. "As I speak, hundreds of trucks are entering Gaza," he said.

Aid groups say Israeli inspections have prevented much aid from entering Gaza, although the Israeli government blames the delays on distribution problems in Gaza. The ceasefire agreement will allow 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter the strip every day.

As a result of the conflict, many Gazans, including thousands of children, are malnourished and lack adequate shelter. According to UNICEF, nearly the entire population of Gaza (approximately 2.1 million people) faces food insecurity.

Palestinian health officials recently said more than 46,000 people have been killed in the war. A recent peer-reviewed study lancet An estimated 64,260 people died from trauma in Gaza during the first nine months of the 15-month conflict. Researchers said about 59.1% of the victims were women, children and people over 65 years old.

Since October 7, 2023, Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire, and the United States has provided arms and ammunition to Israel throughout the conflict. Biden called the ceasefire talks "one of the toughest negotiations I've ever been a part of" but celebrated the progress made in the talks. the area.

"Iran is in its weakest position in decades ... and there is a future opportunity in Lebanon to escape Hezbollah's control," he said. “In Syria, there is a future free from the tyranny of (former dictator Bashar Assad). For the Palestinian people, it is a reliable path to their own country. For the future of the region and normalization, Israel and Integration of all Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia.”

President-elect Donald Trump has tried to take credit for arranging the ceasefire, but when asked about Trump's claims, Biden responded on Friday: "Is this a joke?"

Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly considering visiting the Gaza Strip to help ensure the ceasefire continues.

The conflict has left the Gaza Strip devastated by acts of genocide, war crimes and deliberate famine.