In a joint statement issued by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the three mediators affirmed their role as guarantors of a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal, saying they would help ensure that all three stages of the ceasefire will be fully implemented by both parties.
On Wednesday evening local time, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States issued a joint statement announcing an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of hostages.
The statement indicated that the Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and restore peace.
The statement also said that Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, as guarantors of the agreement, aim to ensure the full implementation of the three stages of the agreement.
At the same time, the guarantor countries will also coordinate with the United Nations and international partners to swiftly and continuously increase humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as stipulated in the agreement. The guarantor countries urge the international community to support this effort.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal following intensive mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced on Wednesday.
The agreement includes an initial 42-day phase during which more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza will halt. The Israeli military will withdraw from populated areas to the outskirts of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their residence in the Gaza Strip.
The deal, first outlined in May 2024, follows about a year of on-and-off indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, culminating in four days of intensive negotiations in Doha.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement. He said that the UN stands ready to support its implementation and deliver sustained humanitarian relief to Palestinians. Guterres also urged all parties to work toward a "negotiated two-state solution" as an urgent priority.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi welcomed on Wednesday the ceasefire agreement that was reached after more than a year of arduous efforts under the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
On the same day, Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a statement welcoming the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The statement praised the efforts made by all parties to reach the deal and emphasized that the agreement must be fully implemented.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday expressed its strong support for the newly announced ceasefire agreement, along with the release of detainees, hostages, and captives.
UAE's Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for both parties to honor their commitments to the agreement, underscoring the need to alleviate the plight of Palestinian detainees and Israeli hostages.
Over the past 15 months, the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza has risen to more than 46,700, according to the Gaza-based health authorities on Wednesday.
Qatar, Egypt, US to help ensure full implementation of 3-stage ceasefire deal
Qatar, Egypt, US to help ensure full implementation of 3-stage ceasefire deal
