Top Hamas official announces end to Gaza war

The organisation has received “guarantees” from the US that the hostilities will not continue, Khalil al-Hayya has said.

The Gaza war is over, a senior Hamas official, Khalil al-Hayya, has said, adding that the peace plan put forth by US President Donald Trump would mark the start of a “permanent ceasefire.”

The militant group received some “guarantees” from Washington and other mediators that the hostilities would not continue, he told Gaza residents in a televised address on Thursday.

According to al-Hayya, the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group “dealt responsibly with the American president’s plan” and submitted a response aimed at preventing further bloodshed. He did not elaborate on the nature of the response but said that the deal, which was reached in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, includes providing the Palestinian enclave with humanitarian aid, opening the Rafah border crossing, and exchanging prisoners.

“Everyone confirmed that the war has completely ended,” the official said, vowing to work with all national and Islamic forces to complete the next steps envisioned by the agreement.

His words came as the Israeli cabinet was still voting on the ratification of the agreement. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said ahead of the vote that he and his party would oppose Trump’s peace plan and would leave the government if Hamas is allowed to retain control over Gaza. He also described the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages as an “unbearable price” to pay for the agreement.

Earlier media reports suggested that Israeli forces would be required to withdraw to a pre-set line within 24 hours, leaving Israel in control of around 53% of the Palestinian enclave. Hamas would release all living hostages within 72 hours of West Jerusalem ratifying the deal. In return, Israel would free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since 2023, including all women and minors.

According to Israeli Channel 12, West Jerusalem would only allow the prisoners to go free after the 72-hour period, during which Hamas is expected to release all Israeli hostages. The group still holds around 48 hostages; Israel believes that around 20 are still alive.

The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked the Jewish state, killing around 1,200 people, and taking around 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military operation in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to local officials. It also led to unprecedented destruction and a humanitarian disaster in the enclave.