Jordanians celebrate Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal
Hundreds of Jordanians gathered in Jordanian capital to celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
The complex ceasefire accord emerged after mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the US to stop the war that has devastated the coastal territory and inflamed the Middle East.
The deal, scheduled to be implemented from Sunday, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, where tens of thousands have been killed. Hostages taken by militant group Hamas, which controls the enclave, would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
The deal also paves the way for a surge in humanitarian aid for Gaza, where the majority of the population has been displaced and is facing acute food shortages, food security experts warned late last year.
Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas-led gunmen burst into Israeli border-area communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 soldiers and civilians and abducting over 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
If successful, the ceasefire would halt fighting that has razed much of heavily urbanized Gaza, killed over 46,000 people, and displaced most of the tiny enclave's pre-war population of 2.3 million, according to Gaza authorities.
Meanwhile Iranians gathered in Tehran’s Palestine Square to celebrate the Gaza ceasefire deal and show their support for the Palestinian people.
People in the crowd waved Hezbollah, Palestinian and Iranian flags, as fireworks were set off in celebration.
Some said the agreement showed Israel’s weakness, with one member of the crowd saying it was proof that “the axis of resistance is always alive and well.”
The deal outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, where tens of thousands have been killed. Hostages taken by Hamas would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.
