Ceasefire Gaza as Israel and Turkiye vie for Syria and dominance over the eastern Mediterranean
Israel and Hamas announce ceasefire, hostages to be released. Israel rebuffs ‘imperialist’ Turkey after Erdogan says it must withdraw from Syria. Who is saying what on Gaza ceasefire deal.
Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire and hostage release deal
A ceasefire deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas, more than 15 months into the conflict.
Source: ABC News
The agreement, which was brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, is currently being finalised, Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced during remarks in Doha late Wednesday. The Israelis will take the agreement back to their government for approval, he said.
The agreement will begin on Sunday, with the first, six-week phase seeing a ceasefire, the withdrawal of some Israeli forces to allow more aid to get in and the release of 33 hostages in Gaza, starting with women, children and the elderly, according to the Qatari prime minister. A number of Palestinian prisoners will be released, as well, he said.
According to the Hamas delegation in Doha, the provisions Hamas agreed to include the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, including the Philadelphi corridor, in stages, and handing over 33 Israeli prisoners, dead and alive, in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations would be completed in stages for the release of the remaining hostages, according to the Hamas delegation.
The Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement that they resolved an issue over forces on the Philadelphi corridor, though there are several "unresolved clauses" in the deal they hope to finalize Wednesday night.
Israel said its security cabinet will convene on Thursday to approve the deal.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the deal is "the right move" and called upon the Israeli government to approve it.
"There is no greater moral, human, Jewish, or Israeli obligation than to bring our sons and daughters back to us -- whether to recover at home, or to be laid to rest," he said.
The head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Khalil Al-Hayya, thanked Qatar and Egypt for their "strenuous efforts and multiple rounds of negotiations" to reach a ceasefire deal.
Phase one will also include an increased flow of relief and humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip, the Qatari prime minister said. Coordination is currently underway to open the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing to allow the entry of international aid into Gaza, an Egyptian security source told ABC News.
The second and third phases of the agreement will be finalized after the first phase, the Qatari prime minister said. Phase two will mark a "permanent end of the war," President Joe Biden said during remarks Wednesday.
Under phase two, the remaining living hostages will be released and all remaining Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza, according to Biden. The remains of the final hostages will be returned in phase three and a "major reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin," Biden said.
Biden said the mediating countries have pledged to ensure that negotiations move forward "as long as it takes," and that his team is coordinating closely with the incoming Trump administration "to make sure we're all speaking with the same voice."
The Qatari prime minister said Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. will monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
"With this agreement, I emphasize the importance of accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, without any hindrances, until a sustainable peace is achieved through the two-state solution, and for the region to enjoy stability, security and development in a world that is large enough for everyone," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said in a statement.
The United Nations is ready to support the implementation of the deal and "scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief," U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement Wednesday.
In over a year of war between Israel and Hamas, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza and almost 110,000 injured, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. That figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. However, more than 14,000 children and 8,000 women have been killed, according to the health ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they have killed more than 15,000 combatants throughout the course of the war, which was sparked by the unprecedented Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, in southern Israel. More than 1,200 people were killed and another 253 were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
During a weeklong ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in late November 2023, Hamas freed more than 100 people. In exchange, Israel released more than 200 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. Several hostages in Gaza have also been freed in the months since, while the bodies of others have been recovered.
Amid the renewed negotiations in early January, 94 abductees remained in Gaza, including 34 who have been confirmed dead, according to Israeli officials.
Hamas is currently advising Palestinians to remain alert until the official start of the agreement and to rely on official sources for information on the timing of the ceasefire.
Following news of a ceasefire and hostage deal being reached on Wednesday, people could be seen celebrating across Gaza and Israel.
Biden said the deal followed "many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar."
"This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity," Biden said in a statement.
"My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done," he added.
Biden said he is determined to bring seven American hostages home, three of whom are alive. Two of them -- Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen -- are expected to be part of this first phase of the agreement, a senior administration official told reporters Wednesday. The third, Edan Alexander, will fall in the second release phase because of his Israeli military service, the official said, adding that the U.S. remains fully committed to getting him out.
President-elect Donald Trump also said Wednesday that a hostage deal has been reached, writing in a Truth Social post,
"WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!"
Trump took credit for what he called an "EPIC" ceasefire agreement, saying it "could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November." He said his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and U.S. allies to "make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven."
The families of seven American hostages in Gaza said they are "deeply grateful" that an agreement for the phased release of hostages has been reached.
"The coming days and weeks will be just as painful for our families as the entirety of our loved ones' horrific ordeals," the families said in a statement. "That is why we ask all parties to stay committed to this agreement, every phase until it is fully implemented and everyone has been returned. We feel hopeful that under President Trump's leadership, every last hostage will come home."
A new round of ceasefire negotiations began on Jan. 3 in Qatar. Delegations from both Israel and Hamas were dispatched to Doha to resume the negotiations, which were brokered by Qatari and Egyptian mediators. The Biden administration also helped broker the talks.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously told reporters the United States wanted a ceasefire deal in Gaza and all remaining captives released before Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
Blinken on Jan. 6 reported "intensified engagement," including by Hamas, on reaching a deal, though he added, "We are yet to see agreement on final points."
"We need Hamas to make the final necessary decisions to complete the agreement and to fundamentally change the circumstance for the hostages, getting them out, for people in Gaza, bringing them relief, and for the region as a whole, creating an opportunity to actually move forward to something better, more secure for everyone involved," Blinken said at the time.
On Tuesday, Blinken said during an address at the Atlantic Council that Israel and Hamas were "on the brink" of reaching a six-week ceasefire deal that would see some hostages released from Gaza.
The deal comes after a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024, weeks after Israel invaded southern Lebanon as part of an escalation of its conflict with Hezbollah.
It also follows the high-profile assassinations last year of Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar -- with Sinwar being one of the key architects of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel -- as well as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel has claimed responsibility for their deaths.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/ceasefire-deal-reached-israel-hamas/story?id=106870619
Israel rebuffs ‘imperialist’ Turkey after Erdogan says it must withdraw from Syria
Turkish leader warns of an ‘unfavorable outcome for everyone’ if IDF troops don’t leave buffer area they entered after fall of Assad regime
By Amy Spiro (ToI Staff and Reuters)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel must withdraw its forces from Syria or it will cause “unfavourable outcomes for everyone.”
“The aggressive actions of the forces attacking Syrian territory, Israel, in particular, must come to an end as soon as possible,” he said during a meeting of his party in Ankara.
“Everyone should take their hands off Syria and we, along with our Syrian brothers, will crush the heads of Islamic State, the YPG and other terrorist organizations in a short time.”
Israel in response warned Ankara against “unnecessary threats.”
“Israel completely rejects the Turkish president’s statement,” the Foreign Ministry said. “The aggressive imperialist actor in Syria (as well as in northern Cyprus, Libya, and other areas in the Middle East) is Turkey itself, and it is advisable for the Turkish president to avoid unnecessary threats. The State of Israel will continue to act to protect its borders from any threat.”
The IDF has said that its deployment to a buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border and strategic positions beyond the zone is a defensive and temporary measure amid the unstable situation in Syria since last month’s fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Meanwhile, in the past month, Turkey has said repeatedly that it was time for the Kurdish YPG militia to disband. Ankara considers the group, which spearheads the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as a terrorist organization.
Ankara has said the new Syrian administration must be given an opportunity to address the YPG presence but also threatened to mount a new cross-border operation against the militia based in northeast Syria if its demands are not met.
Erdogan said the YPG was the biggest problem in Syria now, and added that the group would not be able to escape its inevitable end unless it lays down its arms.
“Regarding fabricated excuses like Islamic State, these have no convincing side anymore,” Erdogan said, referring to the US position that the YPG was a key partner against Islamic State in Syria and that it plays a vital role in guarding prison camps where the Islamist terrorists are kept.
“If there is really a fear of the Islamic State threat in Syria and the region, the biggest power that has the will and power to resolve this issue is Turkey,” he said.
Turkey has repeatedly asked its NATO ally the United States to halt support for the SDF and has said the new administration in Syria had offered to take over the management of the prisons.
As Israel and Hamas seemingly inch closer to signing a deal that would see hostages released in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, Erdogan also commented on the potential ceasefire.
“With the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza, where genocide and massacres have been ongoing for 15 months, an important opportunity will arise for lasting peace and stability across the entire region,” he said.
“We are closely following the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and we hope to receive positive news as soon as possible.”
Erdogan has been a harsh critic of Israel, particularly over the last 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas, which broke out after the terrorist organization launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, murdering some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.
The Turkish president has repeatedly accused Israel of genocide in the war, compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, and even threatened Israel in July that Turkey could intervene militarily in support of the Palestinians if the war did not end.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdogan-israel-must-withdraw-from-syria-or-risk-unfavorable-outcome-for-everyone/
Who is saying what on Gaza ceasefire deal
The deal, after weeks of negotiations in Qatar, aims to halt Israel's genocidal war in Gaza, release hostages in phases, free Palestinian prisoners, and allow displaced Palestinians to return home.
Palestinian resistance group Hamas and Israel have reached a ceasefire agreement that will halt Israel's genocidal war on Gaza and exchange prisoners, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, mediator Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister has said.
The 42-day first phase of the ceasefire will take effect on January 19, he announced on Wednesday.
Here are some initial reactions to the deal:
Türkiye
Türkiye hopes the deal will open the door to lasting peace and stability for "our Palestinian brothers, and sisters as well as for the region and all humanity," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Türkiye will continue to stand by Palestinians, and mobilise all means to help Gaza heal and get back on its feet, Erdogan stated on X, noting that Türkiye welcomes the ceasefire deal.
"We salute the heroic people and valiant sons and daughters of Gaza who courageously defend their land and freedoms in the face of Israel's unlawful and inhumane attacks," he noted.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters in Ankara the deal was an important step for regional stability.
Fidan also said Turkish efforts for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict would continue.
US
"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!" US President-elect Dolad Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
US President Joe Biden, on the other hand, said that the deal will end the fighting in Gaza and surge humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
"Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity," Biden said in a statement.
Hamas
A Hamas official described the Gaza ceasefire deal as "a great gain that reflects the legend that had been achieved through the steadfastness of Gaza, its people, and the bravery of its resistance."
"It is also a reassertion of the occupation's failure to achieve any of its goals," Sami Abu Zuhri said.
Another official Khalil al Hayya said Israel's Nazi-like crimes "will remain etched in the memory of our people, the world as most heinous genocide of modern era".
Belgium
Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said: "After too many months of conflict, we feel tremendous relief for the hostages, for their families and for the people of Gaza."
"Let’s hope this ceasefire will put an end to the fighting and mark the beginning of a sustained peace. Belgium stands ready to help," he added.
Germany
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said there is hope that hostages will finally be released and that deaths in Gaza will come to an end.
Baerbock said in her statement in a post on X that everyone who bears responsibility should now ensure that this opportunity is seized.
UK
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described a ceasefire deal as "long overdue" and said the focus should turn to humanitarian aid and securing a better longer-term future in the region.
"After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for," Starmer said in an emailed statement.
"For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed to end the suffering in Gaza.
"And then our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people."
UN
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the deal and stressed that the "priority now must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict."
"The United Nations stands ready to support the implementation of this deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer," he told reporters.
Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi welcomed the ceasefire deal, according to a post on X.
Sisi stressed the importance of a fast delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
EU
"I warmly welcome the ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza. Hostages will be reunited with their loved ones and humanitarian aid can reach civilians in Gaza. This brings hope to an entire region, where people have endured immense suffering for far too long. Both parties must fully implement this agreement, as a stepping stone toward lasting stability in the region and a diplomatic resolution of the conflict," President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen has said.
Norway
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said: "The Palestinian institutions must be strengthened and prepared to assume full control and responsibility, including in Gaza. Both Israel and Palestine must receive credible security guarantees, and the solution must be anchored regionally."