Foreign
Israel, Hamas agree Gaza ceasefire deal to halt 15-month war
Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement to halt more than a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip, President Biden and Qatar’s prime minister announced separately on Wednesday. The deal comes after a week of intense negotiations mediated by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt.
“Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal,” Mr. Biden said in a written statement. “This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”
Speaking from the White House Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Biden said, “There was no other way for this war to end than with a hostage deal, and I’m deeply satisfied this day has finally come, for the sake of the people of Israel, and for the families waiting in agony, and for the sake of the innocent people in Gaza who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war.”
He said Americans will be among the hostages released in phase one of the deal, “and the vice president and I cannot wait to welcome them home.”
The deal is expected to take effect Sunday, the White House said.
As news of the agreement broke, crowds gathered in Deir al Bala in Gaza, and celebratory gunfire was heard.
“I’m extremely happy,” one young Palestinian woman in the Gaza city of Khan Younis told CBS News. “The past 15 months I experienced tears, laughters, lost martyrs and people went into prison, but finally I feel the joy.”
“I am very happy, and today is the day I wished to hear about since the beginning of the war,” an elderly man said. “God is sending us hope,” he added.
The ceasefire is not yet in effect, and Israeli airstrikes continued Wednesday in Gaza City and Khan Younis after the news broke.
The families of the American hostages still being held in Gaza expressed their relief at the news of a deal.
“We are deeply grateful that there is finally an agreement between Israel and Hamas to bring our loved ones — Omer, Edan, Sagui, Itay, Keith, Gad, and Judi — home,” the families said in a statement. “We have been waiting for 467 days while our family members suffer from life-threatening injuries, abuse, torture, and sexual violence. We thank President Biden, President-elect Trump, and their teams for their constructive efforts to make this possible.”
A draft of the deal had been agreed to in principle earlier in the week, Arab, U.S. and Israeli officials told CBS News. It sets out a phased framework for a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages still held by Hamas for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. It also includes access for humanitarian aid to Gaza and the eventual ability of Palestinians in Gaza to return to areas they fled.
Intense negotiations had been underway in Doha for the past few weeks, with President Biden’s top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, staying in the region for the better part of a month. McGurk has been closely coordinating with President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Mr. Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone on Sunday about the negotiations and again on Wednesday. A senior U.S. official described their latest conversation as “a very warm call, marking this moment.”
In Israel, families of the approximately 100 hostages still being held after Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 2023 attack, which saw the group and allied militants kill about 1,200 people, have been holding regular rallies demanding a negotiated deal for the release of their loved ones. The Israel Defense Forces has said it believes around a third of the hostages have already died.
More than 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in Israeli strikes since the war began, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, and most of Gaza’s population is displaced and living in camps. Humanitarian groups have been struggling to deliver aid, and experts have warned of famine.
What is in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal?
Details of the deal are similar to a plan outlined by Mr. Biden last year. The deal is expected to go into effect on Sunday.
According to a draft from mediator sources, viewed by CBS News earlier this week, and Mr. Biden’s description, it would consist of three phases, each lasting about 42 days.
During the first phase, Hamas would release 33 women and children hostages, as well as hostages over 50 years old, the draft viewed by CBS News said. The first phase will also include the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, Mr. Biden said.
For each woman or child hostage returned to Israel, Israel is expected to release 30 Palestinian women and children from its prisons. Hamas would release all hostages over 50 years of age, and Israel would release 30 Palestinian prisoners aged 50 or older.
A senior Israeli official told CBS News that the release of hostages from Israel would begin on the first day of a 42-day ceasefire period. Mr. Biden said Americans will be among the first wave of hostages released.
On that first day, Hamas would release three hostages, according to the draft viewed by CBS News. On the seventh day, Hamas would release four hostages. Thereafter, Hamas would release three hostages taken from Israel every seven days, starting with the living and then moving on to return the bodies of those who have died.
During the exchange of hostages and prisoners, there would be a complete ceasefire in Gaza to allow aid to enter, the draft viewed by CBS News said. International aid groups and the United Nations would resume operations in Gaza, and would begin reconstruction of the enclave’s infrastructure, such as water, electricity and sewage systems.
The second phase of the deal would involve the release of all remaining male Israeli hostages and the withdrawal of all IDF forces from Gaza, the president announced Wednesday.
The third phase would include the exchange of bodies of deceased hostages and prisoners and the beginning of the reconstruction of Gaza, Mr. Biden said.
Trump responds to ceasefire and hostage release deal
In his remarks, Mr. Biden noted that the deal will largely be implemented after his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, takes office.
“This deal was developed and negotiated under my administration, but its terms will be implemented, for the most part, by the next administration,” the president said. “For these past few days, we’ve been speaking as one team.”
Trump posted on social media as news broke of the hostage and ceasefire agreement.
“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump wrote. “I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”
Trump said his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel “to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”
“We have achieved so much without even being in the White House,” Trump wrote. “Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!”
Trump is at his Mar-a-Lago estate Wednesday, with five days to go until he becomes president.
Asked how much credit Trump should get for the deal, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told CBS News’ Caitlin Huey-Burns: “I would hope we would all move beyond the question of who gets credit. I mean, I don’t think that the hostages are caring about that, and I don’t think their families care about that. I don’t think the Palestinians in Gaza care about who gets credit for this. The truth is that there’s a lot of credit to go around, including in the [Mideast] region.”
Kirby said the Biden administration worked closely with their counterparts on Trump’s team.
“It’s important to remember that this deal was the deal that President Biden negotiated and put on the table back in May, got international support for it. That’s the deal that we’re talking about being implemented here,” Kirby said. “And it was due to a lot of intense diplomacy by American diplomats.”
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore all jobs and funding for the Voice of America and other US-backed news outlets, ruling that efforts to dismantle it violated the law and Constitution.
Over 1,300 VOA employees, including about 1,000 journalists, were placed on leave following President Donald Trump’s order. The White House has accused the broadcaster of being “anti-Trump” and “radical”.
VOA, still primarily a radio service, was set up during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, and has become a major global media broadcaster.
The ruling noted that because of the cuts, “VOA is not reporting the news for the first time in its 80-year existence”.
Judge Royce Lamberth said the administration acted “without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world”.
He ordered the administration to take steps to restore employees and contractors to the jobs they had prior to the executive order, and to do the same for Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
The judge found the administration also likely violated the International Broadcasting Act and Congress’ power to appropriate funding.
“My colleagues and I are grateful for this ruling. But we know that this is just a small step forward, as the government is likely to appeal,” said Patsy Widakuswara, the VOA White House bureau chief and a lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.
“We are committed to continuing to fight against what we believe is the administration’s unlawful silencing of VOA until we can return to our congressional mandate: to tell America’s stories with factual, balanced, and comprehensive, reporting,” she said.
Trump has long criticised VOA as part of his broader attacks against the media, frequently accusing mainstream outlets of bias.
After taking office in January, he appointed a political ally, Kari Lake, to run VOA. Lake has previously supported Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
In March, Trump ordered the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA and funds outlets like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, to be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law”.
A separate judge in New York temporarily blocked the executive order after journalists, advocacy groups and unions sued, arguing the move was unlawful.
Judge Lamberth, who is based in Washington, DC, ruled the Trump administration lacked the authority to shutter VOA, which is funded by Congress and has a legislative mandate to deliver credible news globally.
“It is hard to fathom a more straightforward display of arbitrary and capricious actions than the Defendants’ actions here,” he wrote.
“Even though several courts have ruled that the President can remove personnel and terminate grants, a radical district judge is once again attempting to interfere with the Trump Administration’s efforts to make the government more efficient,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement.
USAGM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Foreign
Pope Francis Death: Italy, Argentina 25 other Countries Declared National Mourning (Full List)
The world stood still on April 21, 2025, as the Vatican officially confirmed the death of Pope Francis, aged 88. His passing marked the end of a historic papacy and triggered an outpouring of grief across continents. Numerous nations, especially those with significant Catholic populations, declared national mourning periods to honor the pontiff’s life, spiritual leadership, and global influence.
From Latin America to Europe, Asia, and Africa, countries initiated solemn observances, lowered national flags to half-mast, and held public commemorations. This article highlights the full list of countries that declared national mourning in memory of Pope Francis.
Why Pope Francis’s Death Resonated Globally
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Since his election in 2013, he championed issues such as poverty alleviation, climate action, interfaith dialogue, and social justice, making him a spiritual leader not just for Catholics, but for people of all faiths.
His legacy transcended religious boundaries, prompting state-led tributes even in non-Catholic majority nations.
List of Countries That Declared National Mourning for Pope Francis
Below is a country-by-country breakdown of declared national mourning periods:
| Country | Mourning Period | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 7 days (Apr 22–28) | Pope Francis’s homeland; nationwide memorial services held. |
| Brazil | 7 days | Churches and public buildings observed solemn tributes. |
| East Timor | 7 days | Predominantly Catholic nation with extensive observances. |
| Italy | 5 days (Apr 21–26) | Vatican’s host country; held massive state ceremonies. |
| Costa Rica | 4 days | Flags at half-mast; public prayers offered. |
| Spain | 3 days | Public processions and masses conducted. |
| India | 3 days | Interfaith tributes and official condolences shared. |
| Philippines | 3 days | Nation-wide tributes; churches filled with mourners. |
| Poland | 3 days | Mourning coincided with the Pope’s funeral. |
| Portugal | 3 days | Official services in Lisbon and major cities. |
| Lebanon | 3 days | Christian and Muslim leaders offered joint prayers. |
| Venezuela | 3 days | Government-organized memorials. |
| Chile | 3 days | National flags at half-mast; televised funeral services. |
| Cuba | 3 days | Nationwide mourning with Catholic mass ceremonies. |
| Guatemala | 3 days | Memorial services across Catholic institutions. |
| Panama | 3 days | Official decree and observances. |
| Dominican Republic | 3 days | Nationwide religious services held. |
| Paraguay | 3 days | Church bells rang across the country in honor. |
| Peru | 3 days | Large public gatherings held for prayers. |
| Ecuador | 3 days | Tributes from religious and government figures. |
| Puerto Rico | 3 days | Government-declared mourning period observed. |
| Malta | 1 day (Apr 26) | Marked during the Pope’s funeral. |
| Croatia | 1 day | Flags lowered; public messages of condolence shared. |
| Hungary | 1 day | National mourning aligned with funeral rites. |
| Uruguay | 1 day | Ceremonies held in Catholic schools and churches. |
| Cape Verde | 1 day | Special services held across Catholic communities. |
Global Religious and Political Reactions
World leaders, religious figures, and citizens across continents expressed grief and paid glowing tributes to Pope Francis’s legacy. The United Nations, European Union, and African Union all issued statements acknowledging his contributions to world peace, interreligious harmony, and humanitarian service.
In cities like Manila, Rome, Buenos Aires, and Lagos, candlelight vigils were held. Cathedrals rang their bells in synchronized tribute, while mosques and temples also joined in interfaith memorial services.
Pope Francis’s death has left a void in the global religious and moral conscience. His efforts to promote compassion, inclusiveness, and humility in leadership will continue to inspire generations to come.
While the Vatican prepares for a papal conclave to elect a successor, the world continues to reflect on the lessons and legacy of a pope who bridged faith and humanity in unprecedented ways.
The widespread declaration of national mourning in countries around the world highlights just how impactful Pope Francis was—not only to Catholics but to people of all beliefs. His death marks the end of a deeply influential era in the Church’s history.
May his soul rest in peace.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, has made a strong case for Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson to become the next leader of the Catholic Church.
According to him, the Ghanaian Cardinal, who is currently the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences at the Vatican, is of the right age and has the requisite experience to be elected Pope.
He said the Church in Ghana will pray for the Cardinal, adding that his becoming Pope would be a great achievement for the country, 3news.com reports.
“But definitely, our Cardinal is also one of the Cardinals. He is of the right age, he’s had enough experience, and if his brother Cardinals think he is the right person, then they will be ready to support him.
“We will support him with our prayers and definitely it will be a great pat on the shoulders of Ghana if that should happen,” he is quoted as saying.
Most Rev Palmer-Buckle, who is the former Archbishop of Accra, however, indicated that the Holy Spirit will guide the Cardinals in choosing the next Pope.
“Let’s leave it to the Holy Spirit to do its work. When Pope Benedict died, about 1.3 billion Catholics all over the world went into prayer, and therefore, I am sure we are all going to go into prayer.
“We are going to go into prayer and we will allow the Lord to indicate who should be the next Pope,” he added.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle’s comments come following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, 2025.
About Pope Francis’ Death:
A number of global media outlets reported the death of the 88-year-old Pope early on Monday.
The Vatican Camerlengo, who is tasked with confirming the Pope’s death, has confirmed his passing.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo, is quoted as saying by apnews.com.
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