Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Watch: Qatar prime minister speaks as Hamas accepts Israel ceasefire deal

Lucy Leeson
Wednesday 15 January 2025 23:24 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Watch again as Qatar’s prime minister held a press conference on Wednesday (15 January) as Hamas accepted a ceasefire deal with Israel.

The deal was reached after the Qatari prime minister met Hamas and Israeli negotiators in his office, a source close to the negotiations has told The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley.

It came after a Hamas source said the group’s leader, Khalil Al Hayya, had delivered approval for the ceasefire agreement to mediators in Qatar.

Shortly after the news broke, President Elect Donald Trump posted on X: “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!”

Qatar gave an update on Wednesday evening after days of intense negotiations.

The Gulf state’s foreign ministry held a press conference in Doha on Wednesday, where a truce was hammered out by US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in