Since October 2023, there has been fierce conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza.
Tonight, a peace agreement has finally been negotiated between both sides, and will come into action on Sunday.
The ceasefire is believed to work in three stages, though it should be noted that the details have not been fully disclosed.
First stage
- 33 Israeli captives will be released.
- Israel will release a large number of Palestinian prisoners
- Israel will withdraw its forces from the centre of Gaza
- A surge of humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza – up to 600 trucks per day
Second stage – negotiations to begin on the 16th day of first stage
- All remaining hostages released on both sides
- A complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
- A permanent ceasefire
Third stage
- Return of the bodies of the dead hostages
- Reconstruction in Gaza to begin, supervised by Egypt, Qatar and the UN
Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer said:
“After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for.”
Last night was a night of celebration in Gaza; for the first time, the end of this conflict is in sight.
However, since the announcement of this deal, 40 people have been killed by Israeli forces.
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