President Joe Biden today announced a ceasefire and a potential end to the war in Gaza, marking a significant step toward peace in the region.

“At long last, I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas,” Biden said. “ The more than 15 months of conflict began with Hezbollah's brutal massacre on October the 7th."

Biden acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiations, saying, “The road to this deal has not been easy. I’ve worked in foreign policy for decades. This is one of the toughest negotiations I’ve ever experienced.”

The final deal includes the release of hostages held by both Israelis and Hamas over six weeks, contingent on the agreement holding. Israeli forces will withdraw, and Palestinians will begin returning home. The agreement also includes provisions for humanitarian aid.

The second phase of the agreement is still being negotiated as both sides work to finalize additional details.

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