Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal
GLOBAL (CNN-TV) -- Israel and Hamas agree to a deal that will pause fighting in Gaza and lead to the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, sources said
Implementation is likely to start on Sunday. Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging deal. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are set to be released from Israeli jails at the same time.
The release of the hostages would be the first phase of the deal being finalized. Negotiations to reach the second phase – which is intended to end the war – would begin on the 16th day of the implementation of the deal. Here’s what we know about the potential deal.
Biden addressed the nation Wednesday regarding the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
WASHINGTON DC, (KION-TV) -- President Biden spoke about the ceasefire Wednesday days ahead of his White House departure, stating that the roll-out will take place in three phases.
Phase one, according to President Biden, will be six weeks of a "full and complete" ceasefire. This will also include the release of a number of hostages by Hamas; "women, the elderly and the wounded" among these, according to Biden.
"Hundreds of Israeli prisoners will be released as well," he said.
President Biden also said that innocent people will have greater access to vital supplies."
Phase two will be the "permanent end of the war," said Biden. "If negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will, too, continue as long as needed."
He also said that phase 3 will be returning the final remains of hostages killed back to family members.
"This is the ceasefire agreement I introduced last spring," he said. "It was the toughest negotiations I've ever had to do.
"There was no other way for this war to end than with a hostage deal," he continued. "The people of Gaza can finally rebuild."
Biden concluded his speech with acknowledging the disturbance in the Middle East, but stating, "Friends are strong and enemies are weak."
This article originally appeared on CNN. This is a developing story.
