Australia welcomes cessation of hostilities and hostage agreement in Gaza

An overnight agreement between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza has been welcomed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Described as a “day of success” by outgoing US President Joe Biden, the deal was brokered in Qatar through mediators from Qatar, the US and Egypt.

The ceasefire deal was announced by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, and is still to be ratified by Israel’s war cabinet.

If approved, it will see an immediate pause in fighting which started in October 2023 and which has seen an estimated 46,000 Palestinian civilians and about 1500 Israeli citizens killed.

“This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families,” Mr Biden said.

Hamas is reported to still be holding some 100 Israeli hostages, many of whom were kidnapped when Hamas conducted surprise terror raids on Israeli border settlements on 7 October 2023. It has not been reported how many Palestinians are currently held by Israel.

The first phase of the agreement will see a “full and complete ceasefire” put in place for six weeks, and the release of 33 Israeli hostages by Hamas. Israel will also withdraw from populated areas of Gaza, while displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to what is left of their neighbourhoods.

“During the next six weeks, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements to get to phase two, which is a permanent end of the war,” Mr Biden said.

In a joint statement, Mr Albanese and Senator Wong said Australia had consistently been part of the international call for a ceasefire and release of hostages.

“We urge all parties to respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace, including ensuring the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded and sustained increases in humanitarian assistance to all parts of Gaza,” they said.

“Our thoughts are with all the civilians killed, displaced and taken hostage in this conflict, and the many humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the service of others.”

Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was killed in an Israeli drone strike on clearly marked World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid vehicles in Gaza on 1 April 2024. Former Chief of Defence Force Mark Binskin was appointed as a special adviser to the Australian Government on Israel’s response to its drone strike, and reported in August that the strike was a “grave mistake” that “should not have occurred”.

“This agreement is a constructive step towards peace and stability in the region,” the statement adds. “It must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people.

“Australia will continue working with the international community towards a two-state solution – a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

“We hope it will allow the Palestinian people the opportunity to rebuild, reform their governance, and pursue self-determination. There must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza. Any future Palestinian state must not be in a position to threaten Israel’s security.”

Despite the continued participation of the Biden administration and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in negotiations since the war began, and President Biden claiming the deal was reached under “the precise contours” of a plan that had been proposed last May, President-elect Donald Trump has claimed credit for the ceasefire.

Trump’s nominated Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had formed part of the US’s latest push to bring the parties to the negotiation table, and Mr Biden acknowledged that the US side had been “speaking as one team” during the talks.

But on social media, Trump claimed the deal would not have been possible if he had not been elected as the next president, an office he will assume on 20 January.

“This epic ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our historic victory in November, as it signalled to the entire world that my administration would seek peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our allies,” he wrote.

“I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”

He added that, once in office, Mr Witkoff would continue, “to work closely with Israel and our allies to make sure Gaza never again becomes a terrorist safe haven”.

After announcing the deal overnight, President Biden was asked who deserved credit for the agreement, him or Mr Trump, to which he smiled and responded, “Is that a joke?”

Original Article published by Andrew McLaughlin on PS News.