JERUSALEM. A breakthrough agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, establishing a ceasefire to end 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza. Mediators announced the deal, which will take effect on Sunday, including provisions for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces and a hostage exchange.
The accord sets a six-week initial truce, during which Israeli forces will gradually leave Gaza. In exchange, Hamas will release hostages held in the enclave, while Israel will free Palestinian prisoners.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed the ceasefire at a news conference in Doha. “This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity,” U.S. President Joe Biden stated in Washington.
Despite the announcement, Israeli airstrikes persisted on Wednesday, with local health authorities in Gaza reporting over 46,000 deaths since the conflict began. Medical sources stated that strikes in Gaza City and the north claimed at least 32 lives. A Palestinian official close to the negotiations revealed that efforts are underway to halt violence before the truce officially starts.
In Gaza, jubilant celebrations erupted as residents, who have endured severe shortages of essential resources, flooded the streets. “I am happy. Yes, I am crying, but those are tears of joy,” said Ghada, a displaced mother of five.
In Tel Aviv, families of Israeli hostages shared their relief, expressing “overwhelming joy and relief [about] the agreement to bring our loved ones home.”
Phase one of the agreement includes the release of 33 hostages, prioritizing women, children, and men over 50. Among them are two Americans, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen. The accord also mandates increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“This agreement is a turning point,” Hamas declared in a social media post, calling it “an achievement for our people.”
The pact has received international support, with leaders from Egypt, Turkey, the U.K., Germany, and Jordan welcoming the development. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need to alleviate the immense suffering caused by the conflict.
While the agreement marks a significant step, implementation will be challenging. Hostage families expressed concerns about the full execution of the deal. Negotiations for subsequent phases, including releasing remaining hostages and Gaza’s reconstruction, are slated to begin 16 days after the truce’s start.
The deal also raises questions about Gaza’s post-war governance. Israel opposes Hamas’ involvement but remains hesitant to reinstate the Palestinian Authority, leaving the enclave’s political future uncertain.
The conflict has left Gaza’s urban landscape in ruins and displaced over two million residents. As winter intensifies, the region urgently needs humanitarian assistance and rebuilding efforts.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump called the ceasefire a foundation for expanding the Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab nations during his presidency. If successfully implemented, the agreement could defuse broader Middle Eastern tensions and pave the way for a lasting resolution to the Gaza crisis.
With both sides facing immense pressure, the world watches closely as this critical ceasefire takes its first steps toward a fragile peace.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
