The story of how Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza stretches back over more than a year. The timing and unlikely partners who coalesced to push negotiations across the line help explain why it finally happened.
An AP drone reveals Gaza's apocalyptic aftermath after 15 months of war20,000 ordered to evacuate as fast-moving wildfire imperils homes north of Los AngelesJustice Department orders investigation of local compliance with Trump immigration crackdownWinter storm causes rescheduling of NBA and college games across the SouthSteven Soderbergh: 'I'm the cockroach of this industry.
Friends and relatives of the hostages abducted by Hamas react to the ceasefire announcement during a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 15, 2025. The agreement was the product of a singular political moment, with one U.S. president preparing to hand power to another. President Joe Biden, center, with Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and Sec. of State Anthony Blinken, right, speaks at the White House on the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza after more than 15 months of war, Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington.
President-elect Donald Trump listens to Steve Witkoff speak during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 13, 2024. Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, chairs a meeting with leaders of Palestinian factions at his office in Gaza City, April 13, 2022.
Flying to Doha in late November, Witkoff asked mediators to lay out the problems undermining the talks, then continued on to meet officials in Israel. The talks restarted soon after, gaining ground through December. An Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity last week because the negotiations were ongoing said Sinwar’s death and Iran’s weakening influence in the region forced Hamas’ hand, leading to real give-and-take rather than “playing a game of negotiation.”
In early January, there was a breakthrough in the talks when Hamas agreed to provide a list of hostages it would release in the first phase of a deal, an official briefed on the talks said.The following day – Saturday, January 11 – Witkoff flew to Israel, securing a meeting with Netanyahu even though it was the Jewish sabbath. McGurk called in. Netanyahu agreed to send the heads of Israeli intelligence and internal security back to Doha for negotiations.
“Until late the first hours of Wednesday we were working tirelessly to resolve last-minute disputes,” said the Egyptian official involved in the negotiations. A Red Cross convoy arrives to collect Israeli hostages who were released after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect, in Gaza City, Jan. 19, 2025.
Steve Witkoff Israel-Hamas War Brett Mcgurk Qatar Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Israel Hamas Ismail Haniyeh Isaac Herzog Joe Biden Israel Government International Agreements Hostage Situations War And Unrest General News World News Religion Egypt Government Qatar Government
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel-Hamas live updates: Israel and Hamas begin a ceasefire after last-minute delayIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will resume fighting if it needs to as he demands Hamas supply the names of three female hostages expected to be released. NBC News' Raf Sanchez reports that Netanyahu said both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump played a role in bringing the ceasefire about.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas live updates: Israel and Hamas begin ceasefire after last-minute delayIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will resume fighting if it needs to as he demands Hamas supply the names of three female hostages expected to be released. NBC News' Raf Sanchez reports that Netanyahu said both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump played a role in bringing the ceasefire about.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas live updates: Ceasefire delayed; Israel continues attacks in GazaIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will resume fighting if it needs to as he demands Hamas supply the names of three female hostages expected to be released. NBC News' Raf Sanchez reports that Netanyahu said both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump played a role in bringing the ceasefire about.
Read more »
Netanyahu: Israel to Resume Gaza Fighting After Any Cease-Fire with HamasIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a closed meeting that fighting in Gaza would resume following any cease-fire agreement with Hamas. Netanyahu said resuming fighting is intended to complete the war's objectives and encourages a deal. The Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the report, which also claimed that some negotiators have expressed concern over Netanyahu's stance. Hamas demands international guarantees for the later stages of a potential cease-fire.
Read more »
Israel, Hamas Agree on Cease-fire After Devastating 15-Month Assault on GazaFollowing a 15-month military campaign that resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and the near-total destruction of the Gaza Strip, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire. The deal, negotiated by Egypt, Qatar, and the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations, is set to take effect Sunday morning. However, the agreement comes after a continued escalation of violence in which hundreds more Palestinians have been killed. International humanitarian organizations have condemned the high death toll and called for an immediate end to Israel's blockade of Gaza and a massive influx of humanitarian aid.
Read more »
Israel, Hamas cease-fire deal could enable rearming of Gaza terroristsAs the cease-fire deal is underway between Israel and Hamas terrorists, some military and political commentators in Israel are worried that the deal will enable the Iran-backed terror group to rearm.
Read more »