  Amir Levy / Stringer Deal includes release of 33 hostages and partial IDF withdrawal from Gaza in initial stageBy Lahav Harkov The U.S. and Qatar announced the completion of a hostage and cease-fire deal between Hamas and Gaza on Wednesday. President Joe Biden said that the 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 of captivity.” “It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran — but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy,” Biden said in a statement. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani gave a press conference in which he announced that the deal will take effect and the first hostages will be released on Sunday. President-elect Donald Trump was the first world leader to announce on Wednesday that a deal to free hostages from captivity in Gaza in exchange for a cease-fire and the release of Palestinian terrorists was complete. “We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East,” Trump posted on his Truth Social site. “They will be released shortly. Thank you!” You May Have MissedPRESIDENT'S PRAISEBiden takes credit for newly announced cease-fire and hostage dealThe outgoing president says the deal is “exactly” the framework he first proposed in May. HEARING HIGHLIGHTSTrump AG nominee Pam Bondi: ‘I am very proud’ of lobbying work for Qatar At her confirmation hearing, Bondi said her work for the Gulf monarchy focused on human trafficking ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Read more...     |
1.15.2025
U.S., Qatar announce Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal
