Israel, Hamas reach Gaza ceasefire deal in 15-month war: Qatari PM
CBC
Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to pause the war in Gaza and release hostages, Qatar's prime minister announced Wednesday.
It comes more than 15 months into a deadly campaign that has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians in the war-torn enclave.
The deal would go into effect on Sunday, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in a Wednesday news conference.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the final details were still being sorted out in the ceasefire deal with Hamas, without actually saying whether a deal had been reached.
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.
The agreement still needs to be approved by Netanyahu's cabinet, but is expected to go into effect in the coming days. It also does not guarantee a permanent truce.
Al Thani said the agreed-upon deal has a mechanism in place that prevents it from collapsing.
"We know that these kinds of agreements are very complex and will have some issues down the line," Al Thani said Wednesday. "We are ready and we will stay committed to address those issues."
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed the ceasefire deal Wednesday, adding that all U.S. hostages will be released in the first phase of the ceasefire.
"Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families," he said.
You can read the main points of the draft deal here.
Phase 1 of the deal, which will span 42 days, will include the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, children and men over 50.
Israel will also gradually reduce forces in the Philadelphi corridor bordering Egypt during the first phase, with forces completely withdrawing no later than day 50, according to a copy of the deal seen by Reuters. The corridor was a stumbling block in past efforts to secure a ceasefire deal, with Egypt demanding Israel pulls out after seizing it in May.
Negotiations on implementing the second phase will begin by the 16th day of Phase 1 and it is expected to include the release of all remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Windsor police are looking for a male suspect after they say another man was stabbed and robbed in an alleyway in the city's downtown.
Alberta's health system is being prepared for a variety of scenarios, including disease outbreaks and mass casualty incidents, ahead of the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis later this month.
When news broke that a massive evacuation was needed to protect people from wildfire, Peguis First Nation stepped up.
After declaring a state of emergency over its toxic drug crisis last summer, Fort William First Nation hasn't stopped advocating for more resources for its members.
A democracy watchdog is questioning the practice of municipal governments receiving free tickets to events hosted at public venues, following a CBC News investigation.
There was cautious optimism in the air as provincial and territorial premiers began arriving in Saskatoon to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
For years, Ken Johnston has hiked Black heritage trails across the U.S., retracing the steps of civil rights pioneers and the freedom seekers who fled slavery and made the long journey north.
WARNING: This article references sexual assault and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone impacted by it.
An artist is putting pen to paper to revive his boyhood memories of growing up in Labrador, filled with berry picking, firefighting and hijacking.
Almost a month into the search for two missing Pictou County children, searchers are beginning to wear out mentally and physically.
Dozens of wildfire evacuees from Pimicikamak Cree Nation checked into a hotel in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Sunday after days spent without sleep in a Winnipeg evacuation centre.
Yellowhead County Mayor Wade Williams took a moment Sunday morning to express gratitude to some of his constituents.
Wildfires in Saskatchewan are expected to continue to grow aggressively during the next few days, fuelled by high temperatures, winds and dry conditions. And there's no sign of relief in sight, according to the latest update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.