Israel & Hamas agree on first phase of ceasefire; "Breakthrough," Dutch PM says
Update 8:44 - article updated to add statement by caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the United States, Israel, Hamas, and the mediator Qatar announced. Israel will pull its troops back to an agreed-upon line, and Hamas will release hostages “very soon,” U.S. president Donald Trump said on his social media platform. Israel will also let humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called the ceasefire agreement a "long-awaited breakthrough."
"This could mean an end to the suffering of so many: the hostages and their families, and the people of Gaza," Schoof wrote on X. "Now the agreement must be implemented as quickly as possible so that all hostages are released and humanitarian aid to Gaza increases massively. This agreement must also be a step toward a lasting and just peace. Many thanks to President Trump for his peace plan, and to the commitment of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey."
The agreement is a “very significant step," according to caretaker Minister David van Weel of Foreign Affairs. “Let this be a historical turning point for peace and stability in the Middle East, and put an end to two years of unimaginable suffering,” Van Weel said on X. “Full implementation is now crucial, starting with the immediate release of all hostages and unhindered access for humanitarian aid for Gaza.”
The news agencies AP and CNN reported that Hamas will release the 20 surviving Israeli hostages this weekend. Israel expects this to happen on Saturday, a government spokesperson told Reuters. When Israel will withdraw its troops and let humanitarian aid into Gaza remains unclear.
The agreement comes just days after the second anniversary of the start of this war. On 7 October 2023, Hamas committed terrorist attacks in Israel, killing 1,137 people. Israel responded with large-scale attacks and blocked aid from entering the Gaza Strip.
In the two years of what the United Nations calls the genocide in Gaza, Israel has killed at least 67,173 people, including at least 20,179 children. 460 people have starved to death in Gaza. 154 of them were children and babies. At least 169,780 people are injured, al Jazeera reported based on figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, updated on October 7.
The previous ceasefire in this conflict lasted from January 19 to March 18 of this year. Israel broke the ceasefire. During the ceasefire, Israel killed at least 170 people in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, about 2,200 people either died of their injuries or their bodies were found under the rubble.
