The head of Hamas in Gaza announced this Thursday (9) the end of the war against Israel and the beginning of a permanent ceasefire. The decision, announced in a televised statement, marks the conclusion of months of intense clashes in the region, according to information from Reuters.
According to Khalil al-Hayya, leader of the group, the agreement provides for the reopening of the Rafah crossing, on the border between Gaza and Egypt. The crossing point will once again allow the movement of civilians and the sending of humanitarian aid in both directions. Hamas also stated that Israel has committed to releasing all Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.
Al-Hayya said he had received assurances from the United States, Arab mediators and Turkey that the ceasefire would be respected and that military operations had come to an end. He acted as chief negotiator in negotiations over the past few months and survived, in September, an Israeli attack against Hamas targets in Qatar.
The announcement comes one day after United States President Donald Trump confirmed that Israel and Hamas have accepted the implementation of the first phase of a peace plan in the Gaza Strip. The proposal includes measures to stabilize the region and begin the process of rebuilding the territory.
To date, the Israeli government has not yet officially confirmed its adherence to the agreement. A security cabinet meeting to discuss the terms of the ceasefire ended mid-afternoon on Thursday without a public statement.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, when the group launched an attack that killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped another 251 in Israeli territory. Since then, more than 60,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to local authorities linked to Hamas.
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