U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a historic ceasefire agreement today, aimed at bringing lasting peace to the Middle East, following the signing of a multi-party deal involving Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
According to Al Jazeera, the agreement marks a major turning point in the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has devastated Gaza and left tens of thousands dead.
Speaking from the White House, President Trump hailed the deal as “a bold step towards peace and stability in the region.”
As part of the ceasefire, a significant captives and prisoners exchange took place this morning.
Hamas has released all 20 surviving Israeli captives held in Gaza and returned the bodies of four others.
In response, Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, many of whom have now been reunited with their families in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
According to sources, 154 of the released Palestinian prisoners were exiled to Egypt under the terms of the agreement.
The conflict, which began with Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has had a catastrophic toll.
According to Palestinian health authorities, at least 67,869 people in Gaza have been killed and 170,105 wounded since the Israeli military launched its offensive.
In Israel, the initial attack killed 1,139 people, with approximately 200 taken captive.
[Source: Al Jazeera]
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