A temporary agreement was placed between Israel and Hamas following a week of violent clashes that resulted in hundreds dead and thousands injured. The ceasefire agreement has officially started on January 19, 2025. This is the biggest breakthrough that started after the armed Palestinian group attacked Israel on 7 October, 2023. As Gaza ceasefire is a temporary stop to the violence between Israel and Palestinian group, it may bring some relief but it still doesn’t solve the bigger problem.
The ceasefire started after the increasing violence between Israeli and Palestinian groups sparked by the Hamas large-scale surprise rocket attacks and ground assaults on 7 October, 2023. The airstrikes and attacks has resulted in many civilian injuries on both sides. This violence initially led to global calls for peace and emergency help for those affected.
As per the context of this ceasefire, both sides have agreed to halt their military actions. Emergency aid will be allowed to Gaza where citizens have been facing shortage of food, water and aid.
The ceasefire proposal agreed by the Israel and Hamas is a successive initiative with three-stages. During the first 42 days, Sheikh Mohammed stated that Hamas would free 33 Israeli hostages including woman soldier, elderly, children and in return a "number" of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would be released. Israeli is also expected to give humanitarian aid to Palestinian soldiers and also allow them to withdraw slowly from Gaza. In the second stage, Israeli would agree to a permanent ceasefire and Hamas would release the remaining male hostages, including soldiers and civilians. Furthermore, the third stage involves the reconstruction of Gaza and the remains of deceased Israeli hostages will be released.
US President Joe Biden has stated that the deal would "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". Nonetheless, Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the ceasefire agreement, claiming it as a significant step towards regional stability.
While the ceasefire offers relief and hope on the civilians for a brief moment, the long term peace is still uncertain. As international leaders are previewing this situation monetarily, they hope that this ceasefire will be the bridge towards comprehensive peace talks. The world still awaits to see if the ceasefire will create a way for the long-lasting peace in Gaza in coming future.
