Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire agreement

Gaza: Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal, announced on Wednesday, halting a devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip. The agreement was brokered through months of intense negotiations in the Qatari capital and brings the prospect of ending the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the two adversaries.

The ceasefire deal promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in phases, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in Gaza. It will also allow humanitarian aid to flood into the devastated region.

While three US officials and one from Hamas confirmed the agreement, a senior Israeli official stated that some details are still being finalized. The ceasefire will be put into effect soon after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet approval. The deal envisions an initial six-week halt in fighting, accompanied by negotiations to end the war completely.

During the six-week period, 33 hostages will be reunited with their families. However, it remains uncertain how many displaced Palestinians will return to their homes or if this ceasefire will lead to a full end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza—critical demands from Hamas for the remaining hostages to be released.

The deal brings the first glimmer of hope in months, as the war, which began with Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. Israel's retaliatory offensive has claimed the lives of more than 46,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population, and triggered global protests.