- A ceasefire ending the 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas will begin on Sunday, January 19, brokered in Qatar
- Hamas to release 33 hostages, mostly women and children, while Israel releases more Palestinian prisoners to build confidence
- Gazans celebrated the ceasefire, despite the destruction and heavy losses, with scenes of hope and joy across the region.
Leaders such as the President of the United States Joe Biden they applauded the agreement, while doubts persist among Israelis about its durability and future peace.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, ending a deadly 15-month conflict that has killed thousands and caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip.
Source: Getty Images
The agreement, managed by international mediators including Qatar and the United States, will begin on Sunday, January 19.
It includes provisions for the release of hostages and the facilitation of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
According to a report by Qatar-owned Al Jazeera, the agreement outlines a step-by-step approach to reducing hostilities.
In an initial phase, Hamas has offered to release 33 hostages, mostly women and children, in exchange for a large number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention centers.
This gesture of mutual respect aims to build trust between the two parties and create an environment for further dialogue.
The ceasefire is scheduled to last for 42 days, during which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from populated areas in Gaza.
At the same time, humanitarian aid is expected to pour into the region to address the dire needs of civilians, who have endured severe shortages of essential supplies due to the long-running war.
How did Gaza react to the ceasefire deal?
The announcement has caused great emotional excitement across the region.
In Gaza, jubilation erupted as news of the ceasefire spread as families who have been living under the constant threat of airstrikes expressed relief and hope for a return to normality.
Children, who know nothing more than the sounds of war, were seen dancing in the dark streets, waving Palestinian flags, their laughter a testament to their steadfast determination.
Israel's fierce attacks on the Gaza Strip left much of the area in ruins.
Source: Getty Images
Following the ceasefire agreement, Hamas' chief negotiator said they would not forgive the pain caused in Gaza during the war with Israel.
“On behalf of all the victims, every drop of blood shed and every tear of pain and injustice, we say: We will not forget, and we will not forgive,” said Khalil al-Hayya, a member of the Hamas political office and head. of his Gaza branch.
Al-Hayya thanked Qatar and Egypt for their great efforts and many rounds of negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement.
He also said that Israel has failed to achieve the goals of military intervention in the area.
How did the Israelis react to the ceasefire plan?
Although there is relief in the prospect of an end to hostilities and the return of hostages, there is also doubt among Israelis about the durability of the ceasefire.
Some citizens, especially those in areas that were previously targeted by rocket fire, remain cautious, fearing that the suspension may be temporary.
Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar described the ceasefire agreement as a painful choice “between bad and very bad”.
“I will speak honestly – this is a difficult decision when it involves the release of many terrorists, including those who have killed Jews,” Sa'ar said during a speech in the synagogue.
Source: Getty Images
International leaders have welcomed the ceasefire as a positive step towards lasting peace in the region.
US President Joe Biden praised the agreement and said that it is evidence of human faith in stability.
“This agreement is a testament to the power of diplomacy and the unwavering human desire for peace. I am very satisfied that this day has come for the people of Israel and the families who are waiting in pain, for the innocent people in Gaza, who suffered unimaginable damage because of war,” he said.
Similarly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of a political solution, advocating new efforts towards a two-government solution.
“After months of bad bloodshed and many lives lost, this is the long-awaited news that Israel and the Palestinian people have been waiting for,” he said.
Who will control Gaza after the ceasefire?
Despite those hopes, the cease-fire agreement leaves unresolved questions about the future governance of Gaza and the long-term relationship between Israel and Hamas.
Furthermore, the reconstruction of Gaza, where infrastructure has been destroyed, will require international support and cooperation.
The toll of the conflict has been staggering, with reports suggesting that more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, with more than half being women and children.
On the Israeli side, 840 soldiers have lost their lives.
The humanitarian crisis has been compounded by massive destruction that has caused approximately 1.9 million Palestinians to flee their homes.
As the ceasefire begins, the international community remains vigilant, recognizing that the path to lasting peace is fraught with difficulties.
What William Ruto said about the attack on Iran
Previously, the President William Ruto strongly criticized Iran's attack on Israel, which occurred on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles in a major retaliation attack following the killing of seven IRGC officers in Syria.
The head of state called on Israel to exercise maximum restraint, stressing the already volatile situation in the Middle East.
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