Celebration in Gaza as Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal [VIDEO]

A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, ending 15 months of intense conflict that has devastated the Gaza Strip.

Mediators in the Qatari capital announced the breakthrough on Wednesday, following weeks of careful negotiations.

There has been celebration in Gaza over the development.

The ceasefire deal comes after about one year and three months since the way started in October 2023.

The agreement also paves the way for the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to the besieged region, where basic necessities such as food, water, and medical supplies have been in short supply due to the ongoing conflict.

It could be recalled that the war started after Hamas terrorists attacked Israelis, killing some and abducting a lot more others.

The war has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives, displaced a vast majority of Gaza’s population, and left the region in ruins. Israel’s military response, involving airstrikes and ground operations, has targeted both militants and civilian infrastructure, contributing to widespread destruction.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a coordinated attack on Israel.

The attack marked the first invasion of Israeli territory since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

The attack, codenamed “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” began with a barrage of over 4,300 rockets launched into Israel.

The U.S. government, along with Qatar and Egypt, played a central role in mediating the talks, which involved extensive behind-the-scenes diplomacy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet still needs to approve the terms, and the ceasefire is expected to take effect within days.

The ceasefire will initially last for six weeks, offering a temporary pause in hostilities and opening the door for further negotiations aimed at resolving the broader conflict. During this period, 33 of the nearly 100 hostages held by Hamas are expected to be freed, though the fate of some remains uncertain.

U.S. President Joe Biden is set to address the nation on the developments later this week, as the international community remains cautiously optimistic that this ceasefire could be the first step toward lasting peace in the region.