By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Negotiators from Israel and Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza, officials said on Wednesday, in the hope of ending the 15-month-war that has killed thousands.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani was set to announce that Israel and Hamas agreed “to a three-stage deal” to release the 98 remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza at a press conference scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Several sources said 33 hostages are expected to be released in the first stage.
However, the office of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, cautioned that several details still have to be worked out but added that they were expected to be finalized within hours.
As news of a ceasefire poured in, supporters of Israeli hostages were seen embracing each other. In Gaza, a vehicle with Hamas military wing operatives was seen roaming the streets of Khan Yunis to celebrate the ceasefire, underscoring the challenges ahead for Israel.
If finalized, the cease-fire would take effect immediately, according to a White House official.
AID EXPECTED
The United Nations and other aid groups said they hope to use the ceasefire to bring in massive humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump rushed to claim credit for the truce between Israel and Hamas, calling the deal “epic” on his Truth Social media platform. He had threatened Hamas that “all hell will break out” if hostages were not released before his inauguration on January 20.
Trump said Wednesday that the accord could have only happened due to his “historic” election victory “as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans and our Allies.”
He vowed that his national security team and his pick for Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, will continue to “work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”
He added, “We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords,” referring to the bilateral agreements on Arab–Israeli normalization signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain.
“This is only the beginning of great things to come for America and, indeed, the World!” he added.
MORE ‘VICTORIES’
“We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House and my Administration is fully confirmed so they can secure more Victories for the United States!”
Yet tensions remained high, with Israel reportedly carrying out an air strike on what Palestinian officials said was “the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank,” killing at least four people and injuring two others.
The Hamas-controlled Palestinian health ministry said four bodies were brought to a hospital in Jenin following the airstrike.
On Tuesday, an Israel Defense Forces drone strike in Jenin killed six Palestinians, including a 15-year-old child, according to Hamas-controlled authorities.
Israel says its airstrikes are aimed at Hamas fighters but that civilian casualties are unavoidable as Hamas uses civilians as “human shields.”
Hamas-controlled authorities say more than 46,000 Palestinians were killed since war broke out in Gaza following the massacre by Hamas of some 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Israel said Tuesday it has begun enforcing new registration regulations for international nongovernmental organizations, moving to bar 37 groups from operating in Gaza and the West Bank after they failed to comply with requirements introduced earlier this year.
Federal authorities are launching what the Department of Homeland Security described as a “massive operation” in Minnesota aimed at identifying, arresting, and removing criminals accused of defrauding American taxpayers.
Israel and the United States have agreed to give Hamas a two-month window to disarm, according to a report by Israel Hayom, following an overnight meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice will continue investigating what she described as widespread “government weaponization” by officials who served under the Obama and Biden administrations, even after courts dismissed charges against several high-profile figures.
Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on the southern Yemeni port city of Mukalla on Dec. 30, saying the operation targeted weapons and military vehicles allegedly shipped from the United Arab Emirates to support separatist forces. Riyadh warned that its national security was a “red line” and demanded Emirati forces leave Yemen within 24 hours.
New details are emerging surrounding the U.S. strike on a suspected drug loading site in Venezuela, with multiple reports claiming a CIA drone carried it out.
A 14-year-old Christian girl is recovering after being abducted and raped in Pakistan’s Punjab province, according to family members and police.