After 15 months of intense warfare, Israel and Hamas have reached a landmark ceasefire agreement, coupled with a hostage release deal, according to mediators Qatar and the United States. The accord, announced by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, is set to take effect on Sunday, pending approval by the Israeli cabinet.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the agreement, describing it as a vital step toward halting the fighting in Gaza, providing urgent humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reuniting hostages with their families. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging ongoing negotiations over the deal’s final details while extending gratitude to President Biden for his role in facilitating the agreement.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya attributed the breakthrough to the resilience of the Palestinian people. However, celebrations among hostages’ families and Palestinians were tempered by ongoing violence, with Israeli airstrikes reportedly killing over 20 people in Gaza shortly after the announcement.
The conflict escalated following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since then has resulted in over 46,700 deaths, according to Hamas-run health ministry figures. Widespread destruction, displacement of most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and critical shortages of food, medicine, and shelter have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
Under the first six-week phase of the ceasefire, 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly individuals, will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Israeli forces will retreat from densely populated areas in Gaza, enabling displaced Palestinians to return home and allowing hundreds of aid trucks to enter the region daily.
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Subsequent phases will focus on the release of remaining hostages, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the establishment of sustainable peace. The final stage will address the reconstruction of Gaza, an endeavor expected to take years, alongside the return of hostages’ bodies.
Qatar’s Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining calm on both sides, highlighting a “clear mechanism” for negotiating the second and third phases of the agreement. The ceasefire’s initial implementation is anticipated to begin on Sunday, though Hamas officials have indicated efforts to expedite the process to Thursday night.
The agreement represents a pivotal moment in the prolonged conflict, with mediators Qatar, the US, and Egypt working to ensure compliance by both parties. “We hope this marks the final chapter of this war and that all sides adhere to the terms of the deal,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The Israeli cabinet’s decision, expected Thursday morning, will be critical in solidifying this fragile step toward peace and setting the stage for further negotiations aimed at ending one of the region’s most devastating conflicts in recent memory.
