A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, has raised hopes of peace after 15 months of devastating war in Gaza. The deal, announced late Wednesday, promises to halt hostilities and free dozens of hostages, providing relief to a region battered by relentless conflict.
Celebrations erupted across Gaza as residents rejoiced at the prospect of peace. Abu Shukri, a community leader in the Maghazi refugee camp, said, “We thank God for this day, but we’ve sacrificed our families and our future.” Shukri’s sentiment reflects the deep scars left by a war that has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives and left Gaza in ruins.
The agreement, set to begin Sunday, involves a 42-day truce. In its first phase, 33 Israeli hostages, including children and elderly individuals, will be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza will also increase significantly during this period.
READ MORE: Dele Alake Demands N9bn Mining Budget Review to Boost Sector Growth
U.S. President Joe Biden described the negotiations as “one of the toughest” in his career. He emphasized the importance of reuniting hostages with their families and delivering aid to civilians. Former President Donald Trump, whose re-election appears to have influenced the talks, wrote on Truth Social, “We have a deal for the hostages. They will be released shortly.”
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has been extensive, with airstrikes and ground operations causing widespread destruction and displacing over 1.5 million Gazans.
The multiphase agreement also envisions a second stage of negotiations to achieve a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli forces. However, challenges remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office warned of unresolved issues, including disputes over the identities of Palestinian prisoners to be released.
Far-right ministers in Israel’s government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have criticized the deal. Smotrich called it “bad and dangerous,” threatening to withdraw support from the government if it compromises Israel’s ability to resume military operations.
International mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, are set to meet in Cairo to oversee the deal’s implementation. The final phase of the agreement aims to reconstruct Gaza under international supervision and return the bodies of deceased hostages.
