GAZA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM. The first day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas saw significant steps toward easing the 15-month-long conflict that has devastated Gaza and inflamed tensions across the Middle East. Hamas released three Israeli hostages, while Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of a truce agreement.
The ceasefire has allowed Palestinians to begin returning to bombed-out neighborhoods, assessing the extensive damage, and starting the long process of rebuilding. Meanwhile, humanitarian relief trucks delivered desperately needed aid to Gaza’s population. Crowds in the territory celebrated as Hamas fighters emerged from hiding, bolstered by the initial exchange of detainees.
In Ramallah, located in the West Bank, thousands gathered to welcome buses carrying Palestinian prisoners released by Israel. Fireworks lit the night sky as the freed prisoners arrived. According to Hamas, those released included 69 women and 21 teenage boys from the West Bank and Jerusalem.
In Tel Aviv, a different kind of emotion unfolded as hundreds of Israelis gathered outside the defense headquarters to witness a live broadcast of the hostages’ release. The freed hostages, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, were seen entering a Red Cross vehicle surrounded by Hamas fighters. The Israeli military shared footage of the women reuniting with their mothers, appearing in good health. Damari, who suffered severe injuries during her abduction, held up a bandaged hand while embracing her mother.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, saying, “Romi, Doron, and Emily—an entire nation embraces you. Welcome home.” At Sheba Medical Center, the hostages were reunited with their families, with tears giving way to smiles. Damari was draped in an Israeli flag, embodying hope amid the turmoil.
The hostage release marks a pivotal moment in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas raid on Israel, which claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives and resulted in more than 250 hostages. Since the war began, more than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza medical officials. Nearly the entire population of Gaza—2.3 million people—is now homeless. The conflict has also claimed the lives of approximately 400 Israeli soldiers.
The ceasefire’s terms include halting hostilities, the release of 33 Israeli and foreign hostages over six weeks, and the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. However, many hostages remain unaccounted for, with fears that some may not have survived captivity.
Devastation in Gaza
In northern Gaza, residents returned to scenes of utter devastation. Rubble and twisted metal lined the streets as displaced families searched for remnants of their homes. Aya, a young woman displaced for over a year, expressed hope: “I feel like at last I found some water to drink after being lost in the desert for 15 months.”
Despite the optimism, the ceasefire began with tension. A last-minute delay led to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, reportedly killing 13 people. Israeli officials attributed the delay to Hamas’s failure to provide a timely list of hostages. Hamas, in turn, described the delay as a technical issue.
U.S. and International Reactions
“Today the guns in Gaza have gone silent,” U.S. President Joe Biden stated on his final full day in office. He attributed the truce’s success to U.S. diplomatic support and Israeli pressure on Hamas.
As Hamas fighters resurfaced, they were greeted with cheers in areas like Khan Younis. Hamas policemen quickly deployed, signaling the group’s attempt to maintain a presence amid ongoing tensions. A fighter addressing a crowd declared, “All the resistance factions are staying in spite of Netanyahu.”
Challenges Ahead
The road to rebuilding Gaza and establishing governance remains uncertain. Israel has emphasized its refusal to accept a return of Hamas as a governing authority. Hardline Israeli politicians have voiced opposition to the truce. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir resigned in protest, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to leave the government if the war concluded without Hamas’s total defeat.
On the eve of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, his national security adviser-designate, Mike Waltz, expressed support for Israel. “Hamas will never govern Gaza. That is completely unacceptable,” he stated, emphasizing that the U.S. would back Israel if Hamas violated the agreement.
For many in Gaza, the truce offers a momentary reprieve but little solace. Ahmed Abu Ayham, a resident of Gaza City, described the somber mood: “We are in pain, deep pain, and it is time to hug one another and cry.”
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/
