ISTANBUL, Oct 10 — Hamas said yesterday it has received guarantees from the mediators and the United States (US) that the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip has "fully ended.", Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
In a pre-recorded speech, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya announced a ceasefire agreement with Israel and outlined immediate steps, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reopening of the Rafah border crossing and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
He said the agreement also includes a major prisoner release, with 250 Palestinians serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 others arrested after October 7, 2023 to be freed, in addition to all children and women detainees.
“We have received guarantees from our brothers the mediators and the US administration, all confirming that the war has ended completely,” al-Hayya said.
He said Hamas will continue coordinating with national and Islamic factions to implement the remaining steps, protect Palestinian interests, and pursue self-determination and the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
On September 29, US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza that includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the entire Gaza Strip.
The agreement between Hamas and Israel was first announced by Trump early yesterday, and later also confirmed by Tel Aviv.
A second phase of the plan calls for the establishment of a new governing mechanism in Gaza without Hamas’ participation, the formation of a security force comprising Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic countries, and the disarmament of Hamas.
It also stipulates Arab and Islamic funding for the new administration and the reconstruction of the enclave.
Much-needed aid ready
In a separate development, United Nations (UN) relief chief Tom Fletcher yesterday said his agency has a detailed humanitarian plan ready to deliver aid across the Gaza Strip after a ceasefire deal was reached, warning that funding and access remain critical, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
Saying that US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan "must be the basis for lifesaving work throughout the region and for saving tens of thousands of lives," Fletcher indicated, during a virtual briefing, that "we must seize this moment with collective will, with determination and with generosity.
“There must be no backsliding on the agreements that have been made," he said.
Fletcher said UN teams have pre-positioned 170,000 metric tonnes of food, medicine and other supplies to begin immediate delivery.
"So, here is what we plan to deliver in the first 60 days of the ceasefire," he said, outlining efforts to scale up the flow of aid to hundreds of trucks per day and reach 2.1 million people in need of food assistance, along with 500,000 requiring nutrition support.
He said the UN will "be supporting bakeries and community kitchens," provide "cash for 200,000 families", and work to restore livelihoods for "herders and fishers".
On health, Fletcher said efforts will focus on restoring the "decimated health system" and deploying emergency teams.
He noted plans to reach 1.4 million people with clean water and sanitation, distribute "thousands of tents every week," and reopen learning spaces for 700,000 school-aged children.
