Israel and Hamas Reach Preliminary Ceasefire Agreement, TWP

Israel and Hamas have reached a "preliminary" ceasefire agreement regarding the Gaza Strip, facilitated by the United States, reports The Washington Post. According to the terms of the agreement, the cessation of hostilities will last for five days, during which the Palestinian group will release dozens of hostages.

The parties have drafted a six-page document indicating that the release of hostages will begin in the coming days. The first fifty or more hostages will be released in small groups every 24 hours. The ceasefire will be "monitored from the air." This pause will allow a significant increase in the amount of humanitarian aid, including fuel, supplied from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.

A representative from the Israeli embassy in Washington stated that the country’s authorities are "not prepared" to comment on any aspect of the situation related to the hostages. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, noted that while an agreement around the deal has not yet been reached, efforts are being made to secure it.

The Washington Post journalists have made edits to their initial report, and the publication now states that "the U.S. is close to a deal with Israel and Hamas."

The armed members of the Palestinian Hamas movement attacked Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking approximately 240 hostages. In response to the assault, the Israel Defense Forces began airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and subsequently initiated a ground operation. According to Palestinian sources, over 11,000 people have died in the Gaza Strip since October 7.