Israel and Hamas reach agreement on ceasefire in Gaza

According to the agency Reuters, Israel and the movement HAMAS concluded ceasefire agreement and hostage exchange, The agreement ended weeks of fierce fighting in the Gaza Strip.

«The parties agreed to an immediate ceasefire and a phased exchange of hostages and prisoners», - said Reuters sources familiar with the negotiations.

According to preliminary agreements, the truce will come into force at 6:00 am local time on Friday, 10 October.

Intermediaries - Qatar, Egypt and the United States

The agreement was made possible by intensive negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, who have been coordinating contacts between the parties in recent weeks.

«We welcome this agreement as an important step towards stabilising the situation and returning civilians home», - said a representative of the US State Department.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry confirmed that «the agreement includes a mechanism for the gradual release of hostages of both sides».

Conditions for the exchange of hostages

According to the terms and conditions, Hamas to release about 50 Israeli hostages, detainees in Gaza, while Israel agrees to release more than 150 Palestinian prisoners.
The parties also agreed to create humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

«We hope that this will be the first step towards lasting peace», - said the representative of the Egyptian government.

The world's reaction

The international community welcomed the agreement. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the parties «to comply with the terms of the ceasefire and ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid».

President of the United States Donald Trump said that Washington «played a key role in reaching a compromise» and promised to continue diplomatic efforts.

«Peace is always a choice that takes courage. Today, Israel and Hamas have taken the first step,» Trump said.

What's next

Analysts note that The truce may be temporary, and its success will depend on the implementation of the agreements by all parties.
However, the agreement gives a chance to humanitarian relief for more than two million Gazans affected by the shelling and blockade.