Israel-Hamas ceasefire must lead to 'political resolution' in Gaza, Macron says

Palestinians celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that a ceasefire deal reached by Israel and Hamas must be followed by a "political solution" to end the conflict in Gaza.

"The agreement must be respected. The hostages freed. Gazans aided. A political solution must happen," Macron posted on X

His reaction comes after Qatar's prime minister said Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza starting on Sunday and a hostage and prisoner exchange after 15 months of war.

The agreement follows months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with the backing of the United States, and came just ahead of the 20 January inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres while welcoming the deal said it was "imperative" that the ceasefire removes obstacles to aid deliveries as he welcomed the deal that includes a prisoner and hostage exchange.

Ceasefire deal

The deal, not yet formally announced, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters news agency.

Israel’s government is expected to vote on the deal on Thursday.

As celebrations spread in Gaza's Khan Yunis, Israel said several clauses in the ceasefire deal with Hamas remain "unresolved".


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