Wed Jan 15 18:18:05 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Ceasefire Reached, Hostages to be Released: Trump Vows to Expand Abraham Accords

**WASHINGTON, January 16, 2025** – A phased ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, ending a 15-month conflict in Gaza that claimed tens of thousands of lives. The deal, announced late Wednesday, includes the release of hostages held by Hamas since their October 7, 2023 attack, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

President-elect Donald Trump expressed his elation at the news, stating he was “thrilled” at the return of American and Israeli hostages. He credited the agreement to his administration’s efforts and vowed to leverage this momentum to further expand the Abraham Accords, aiming to normalize relations between Israel and more Arab nations.

The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s large-scale attack on Israel, resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza and 1,200 Israeli soldiers and civilians. The Gaza Strip has been devastated, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced and facing harsh winter conditions.

Trump, who had previously issued strong warnings regarding the hostages’ release before his inauguration, announced that his National Security team, led by Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, will work to prevent Gaza from becoming a terrorist haven. He intends to build upon the ceasefire to strengthen the Abraham Accords, which currently include the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.

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