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13 minutes ago

Israel-Gaza ceasefire live: Hamas accepts deal to release hostages as Qatar PM to hold briefing

Hamas has accepted a ceasefire and hostage release agreement, The Independent has been told

Bel Trew,Sam Kiley,Alexander Butler,Alex Croft
Wednesday 15 January 2025 18:15 GMT
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Related: Celebratory gunshots in Beirut after Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire brokered

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Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal with Israel, bringing an end to 15 months of war, after months of negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

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 Truth Social: “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!”

Qatar is set to give an update this evening after days of intense negotiations. The Gulf state’s foreign ministry will hold a press conference in Doha on Wednesday, where a truce is being hammered out by US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Earlier, US president Joe Biden and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al Sisi emphasised “the urgent need for a deal to be implemented” and said they would be in contact over the “coming hours”.

13 minutes ago

UN: We will deliver as much aid as conditions allow

The United Nations will only deliver as much humanitarian aid as “the conditions on the ground allow”, a UN aid spokesperson has said following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

"The removal of the various impediments the U.N. has been facing during the last year, which include restrictions on the entry of goods; the lack of safety and security; the breakdown of law and order; and the lack of fuel, is a must," said Eri Kaneko, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The UN and its partners have been working to develop a coordinated plan to scale up the Gaza aid operation, Ms Kaneko added.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 18:15
17 minutes ago

In pictures: Celebrations and vigils as Palestinians and Israelis react to ceasefire

The ceasefire deal followed months of negotiations
The ceasefire deal followed months of negotiations (REUTERS)
A boy celebrates along a street in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip
A boy celebrates along a street in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images)
Relatives and friends of people killed and abducted by Hamas react to the ceasefire announcement
Relatives and friends of people killed and abducted by Hamas react to the ceasefire announcement (AP)
Alex Croft15 January 2025 18:12
22 minutes ago

Netanyahu’s office says deal still not reached

The office of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a ceasefire deal with Hamas has still not been reached.

Final details are still being sorted out in the agreement, the office said according to Associated Press.

But it comes after US sources and Hamas officials said a deal has been agreed - and follows months of facing accusations of Netanyahu dragging his feet over a ceasefire deal.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 18:06
27 minutes ago

Greens: Ceasefire must see ‘root causes of conflict’ addressed

The Green Party has welcomed the news of the ceasefire, describing it as a “vital step to halt the devastating violence” that has caused “unimaginable suffering”.

“While this agreement offers hope, it must mark the beginning of addressing the root causes of the conflict. The ongoing occupation, the siege of Gaza, and systemic violations of Palestinian rights cannot continue,” foreign affairs spokesperson Ellie Chowns said.

Ms Chowns called on the UK government to formally recognise the State of Palestine and suspend all arms to the Israeli military.

“True peace requires justice, dignity, and equality for all people in the region. This is a moment for global leaders to act with courage and commitment, working towards a future where Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace, free from fear, violence, and oppression,” she added.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 18:02
36 minutes ago

Comment | Peace has finally come to Gaza… but at a terrible price

Great relief, then, at the Gaza ceasefire, such as it is – but also great sadness.

There is no real reason why this deal, or something very like it, couldn’t have been concluded when president Joe Biden and secretary of state Antony Blinken first put it on the table last May. The “sticking points” that were obvious then haven’t materially differed in the many months since.

But the price of delay has been paid by untold thousands of dead and injured civilians, the continuing pain of the hostages’ families, and the transformation of the poor but busy enclave of Gaza into a desolate, uninhabitable moonscape.

The greatest of the tragedies have been inflicted on the children. It seems obvious that war crimes have been committed, just as surely as what triggered this particular phase in the Middle East on October 7th 2023 was a terrorist atrocity and an act of war.

Sean O’Grady writes:

Peace has finally come to Gaza… but at a terrible price

The timing of the Gaza ceasefire – a near-exact copy of the deal brokered by Joe Biden and Antony Blinken last May – suggests that it was Donald Trump’s bluster and threats that made the difference, says Sean O’Grady

Alex Croft15 January 2025 17:53
44 minutes ago

Ed Davey: UK must help ensure this is not a ‘temporary truce’

Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has the UK must work to ensure this does not turn out to be a “temporary truce”.

"The announcement of a ceasefire is, at last, a moment of hope after many months of darkness and despair for the region,” Mr Davey said/

"As this ceasefire comes into effect, Palestinians will hope that the killing will now stop. Israeli hostages will finally be returned to their loved ones again after being held in captivity for fifteen months. The work of flooding Gaza with the aid which it has desperately needed for months must begin in earnest.

"Now, it is incumbent on the UK and the entire international community to do all it can to ensure that this ceasefire does not turn out to be a temporary truce. Otherwise we will not be able to get the remaining hostages home and finally alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

Alex Croft15 January 2025 17:45
47 minutes ago

Watch live: Israeli hostage families react as Hamas accepts ceasefire deal to end war

Watch live as Israeli hostage families react following reports Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal to end the war on Wednesday (15 January).

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 Independents 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.

Qatar is set to give an update this evening after days of intense negotiations. The Gulf state’s foreign ministry will hold a press conference in Doha on Wednesday, where a truce is being hammered out by US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Watch live: Israeli hostage families react as Hamas accepts ceasefire deal to end war

Watch live as Israeli hostage families react following reports Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal to end the war on Wednesday (15 January).

Alex Croft15 January 2025 17:42
49 minutes ago

In pictures: Israelis react to ceasefire and hostage release deal

Supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7 hug in Tel Aviv
Supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7 hug in Tel Aviv (REUTERS)
People react to news of a ceasefire and hostage deal in Tel Aviv
People react to news of a ceasefire and hostage deal in Tel Aviv (Getty Images)
Alex Croft15 January 2025 17:40
56 minutes ago

Trump claims credit for ceasefire agreement

President-elect Donald Trump has claimed credit for the ceasefire agreement made between Israel and Hamas, hailing it as an “epic ceasefire agreement”.

He wrote on Truth Social: “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.

“With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!

“We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!”

Alex Croft15 January 2025 17:32
1 hour ago

Ceasefire an important step for regional stability, says Turkey

The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, to end the 15-month war in Gaza, is an important step for regional stability, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan has said.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Mr Fidan said Turkey will continue to push for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 17:27

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