Israel, Hamas reach historic Gaza ceasefire deal

PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel and Hamas have agreed to a historic ceasefire, ending a devastating 15-month war in Gaza that claimed nearly 50,000 lives and escalated tensions across the Middle East, The Independent reports.

The agreement followed intensive negotiations, spearheaded by Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, who met separately with Hamas and Israeli officials and played a pivotal role in brokering the deal. Reacting swiftly, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump declared on Truth Social: “We have a deal for the hostages.”

The Qatari leader confirmed the agreement during a delayed press conference, stating it would take effect on Sunday and depend on both sides' “good faith” to ensure its success. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas attack in southern Israel that left 1,200 people dead and 250 hostages taken, has devastated Gaza. Retaliatory Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 46,700 Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, according to the UN.

Gaza’s infrastructure is in ruins, with homes destroyed and hospitals barely functioning. Reports suggest famine conditions in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces launched a major offensive in October. Meanwhile, the conflict spilled into neighboring regions, with Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen attacking Israel. Israel responded by targeting leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, strengthening its negotiating position.

Months of stalled talks preceded the ceasefire. The only prior pause was a brief truce in November 2023 that saw hostages and prisoners exchanged. Under the new phased agreement, Hamas will release 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly individuals, over 42 days. In return, Israel will free Palestinian prisoners on a sliding scale: 50 prisoners for each Israeli female soldier and 30 for other hostages. Discussions for a second phase, focusing on remaining hostages and a permanent ceasefire, will begin by day 16 of phase one.

The third phase involves returning the dead and starting Gaza’s reconstruction under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, and the UN. Although Trump celebrated the agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied a finalized deal, citing ongoing deliberations. The Israeli cabinet is expected to vote on the agreement on Thursday, with approval anticipated.

Mounting pressure from Western allies and domestic protests has pushed Netanyahu to act. Hardline members of his coalition oppose any agreement with Hamas, threatening political repercussions. Families of Israeli hostages have regularly protested, demanding their return.

President-elect Trump’s impending inauguration expedited talks. Trump, an outspoken Israel supporter, wanted to resolve the conflict before his term began, aligning with outgoing President Joe Biden’s similar objective. Announcing the deal, Trump called it “epic” and vowed to prevent Gaza from becoming a “terrorist safe haven.”

Uncertainty lingers over whether the ceasefire will end the war entirely or lead to Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a key Hamas demand. Regional leaders, including Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan, have emphasized the need for a two-state solution. Israel rejects Hamas’ role in Gaza’s future, but also opposes control by the Palestinian Authority, leaving questions about Gaza’s governance unresolved.