By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal that will end the fighting in Gaza and surge humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
“I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas,” Biden said at the White House. The deal was reached after 15 months of suffering, he said, and will be followed by a surge of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families,” Biden said.
In a separate statement, the White House quoted Biden as saying: “Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey; Editing by Franklin Paul, Heather Timmons and Deepa Babington)
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