Israel Hamas ink ceasefire pact, deal to come into effect from January 19
The agreement will witness gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and exchange of hostages held captive by both the parties.
PTC News Desk: Qatar, Egypt, and the United States in a joint statement on Wednesday confirmed that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
The ceasefire deal is likely to come into effect from January 19 and it outlines three stage process aimed at securing a "sustainable calm," including the release of hostages and prisoners, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, and humanitarian aid operation.
"Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity," Biden told reporters at the Oval Office late Wednesday.
The agreement will witness gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and exchange of hostages held captive by both the parties.
The outgoing President confirmed that US helped in the release of hostages in the first phase of the deal.
"During the next six weeks, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements to get (to) phase two, which is a permanent end to the war," he said.