Hamas has announced that the newly signed ceasefire agreement with Israel marks a “permanent end” to the Gaza war, citing assurances from the United States and regional mediators.
Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas’s negotiating team, stated on Thursday that the group had received firm guarantees regarding the cessation of hostilities.
“We have received assurances from the brotherly mediators and the US administration, who have confirmed that the war is completely over,” Al-Hayya declared.
His statement came hours after both Hamas and Israel signed the first phase of a truce deal brokered by US President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to the agreement, Hamas is expected to release 20 living hostages within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect. In return, Israel will free 250 Palestinians serving long prison terms and an additional 1,700 individuals arrested since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, Al-Hayya revealed.
The truce represents the initial phase of a broader 20-point peace plan presented by the Trump administration. However, several critical issues remain unresolved, particularly concerning Gaza’s long-term governance structure.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, reports emerged that an Israeli airstrike struck a residential building in central Gaza City less than an hour before Al-Hayya’s statement, raising questions about the immediate implementation of the agreement.
Israel’s security cabinet convened earlier to deliberate on the proposal, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government expected to vote on its full adoption.
Announcing the agreement in Washington, President Trump said the release of hostages could occur by early next week. He also revealed plans to travel to the region to “mark the moment” once the truce takes effect.
However, in an interview with Qatar’s Al-Araby TV, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan emphasized that a formal statement declaring the war over must be issued before any hostage release takes place, suggesting potential complications in the implementation timeline.
The ceasefire comes after more than 15 months of devastating conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip. The agreement’s success will depend on both parties’ adherence to its terms and the resolution of outstanding issues in subsequent negotiation phases.
