Qatar emir hopes Gaza ceasefire deal will end killing, destruction in occupied territories

CAIRO – 16 January 2025: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, expressed his hope that the ceasefire agreement reached for Gaza will "put an end to the aggression, destruction, and killing in the Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories."

Egypt, Qatar, and the US, which have mediated talks between Israel and Hamas over the past year, announced on Wednesday that a ceasefire deal in Gaza was reached to end more than 15 months of war. The deal is set to take effect on Sunday.

The phased agreement will allow for the release of captives held by Hamas since their surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, including both living and deceased captives, in exchange for numerous Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.

Both Israelis and Palestinians have received the news with intense joy, celebrating this long-awaited moment in streets with tears of joy.

People in many Arab countries have also celebrated this feat, filling streets and public squares with joyful chants.

احتفالات عارمة في قطاع غزة الحبيب❤️🇵🇸#غزة_تنتصر #غزة_تنتصر pic.twitter.com/FIjNoOQo3g

— 🔻الشريف /سيد خضر الواصلي 🔻🇵🇸💔 (@ajax_sayed) January 15, 2025

In a post on X on Wednesday, Sheikh Tamim stated that he also hopes the agreement will usher in a new phase where the just Palestinian cause is not marginalized and where a fair solution is reached based on international legitimacy resolutions and serious efforts.

The emir thanked Egypt and the United States for their contributions to the agreement, emphasizing that Qatar’s diplomatic role was driven by the country’s humanitarian rather than political duty.

WHAT WE KNOW

The Israeli cabinet is scheduled to vote on the deal on Thursday for official approval.

In an address to the nation, Israeli President Isaac Herzog acknowledged that the ceasefire deal would bring "harrowing moments" and "significant challenges," but urged the cabinet to approve it.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated in a press conference yesterday that Hamas is expected to release 33 captives in the first phase of the deal, which spans 42 days, alongside the withdrawal of Israeli forces toward the East.

معالي الشيخ محمد بن عبد الرحمن بن جاسم آل ثاني، رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية @MBA_AlThani_ : نتوجه بالشكر لشركائنا الإقليميين والدوليين الذين دعموا جهودنا حتى الوصول لهذا الاتفاق. نؤكد لأشقائنا في غزة أن دولة قطر، بتوجيهات صاحب السمو، ستظل تساندكم على مدار الساعة. نأمل أن تكون… pic.twitter.com/CmRZ94YHvB

— الخارجية القطرية (@MofaQatar_AR) January 15, 2025

A joint statement from the mediators noted that the first phase includes a ceasefire, withdrawal and redeployment of Israeli forces from densely populated areas, an exchange of prisoners and detainees, and the return of the remains of the deceased.

During this phase, internally displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes in Gaza, and arrangements will be made for the sick and wounded to receive treatment, according to the statement.

The first phase also aims to intensify the safe and effective entry and distribution of humanitarian aid on a large scale in the Gaza Strip, rehabilitate hospitals, health centers, and bakeries, and provide civil defense supplies and fuel, as well as shelter for those displaced by the war.

Despite the ceasefire news, Israeli bombardment has continued, contributing to a harrowing death toll of more than 46,700 and over 110,200 injuries. The war has also displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

Egypt, Qatar, and the US previously brokered a brief ceasefire amid the fierce fighting in November 2023, resulting in the release of around 100 Israeli captives in exchange for around 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Reports indicate that 94 captives are still held in Gaza, with nearly a third presumed dead.