Iran's IRGC hails Gaza ceasefire as Palestinian resistance victory

Iran's IRGC called the ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas a "conquest" for the Palestinian resistance in a statement Thursday.

"Today marks the end of the war and the imposition of a ceasefire on Israel, a clear conquest and a great victory for Palestine, and an even greater defeat for the monstrous Zionist regime," the statement read as quoted by IRGC media Tasnim.

"It brings joy, vitality, and resilience to the people of Gaza as they return to their homes," the statement said, in spite of swathes of Gaza being turned to rubble since Israel's retaliatory offensive following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.

A long-sought Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal emerged after an intense 96 hours of negotiations in Doha on Wednesday, brokered by US, Egyptian, and Qatari diplomats who persuaded Israel and Hamas to finally conclude the agreement.

The long-fought war has done nothing to secure more territory or freedoms for the people of Gaza, many of whom have no homes to return to and have suffered a humanitarian crisis.

Hamas, designated a terrorist group by countries such as the US and UK, has also been significantly weakened after the longest Gaza war since the group took control of the strip following a violent coup in 2007.

A senior Biden administration official credited the presence of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, as being critical to reaching the agreement announced.