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Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal that would end over a year’s worth of conflict in the Gaza region this coming weekend.
On Wednesday (Jan. 15), President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, announced that Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal. The truce is set to put an end to 15 months of hellish bombing and fighting in the Gaza Strip, which has killed thousands in the region and reshaped the scope of the Middle East. The deal is contingent upon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receiving the approval of the terms from his full Cabinet and security Cabinet. Representatives for Hamas have agreed to the terms. The news was met with jubilation in Gaza. “Praise God, this tragedy is over,” Gaza City resident Mohammad Fares said when interviewed. “We’re all overcome with joy.”
The ceasefire deal, which is set to go into effect Sunday (Jan. 19), has three proposed phases beginning with a six-week period where Hamas is expected to release 33 of the 96 remaining hostages it captured after its attack in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. At least 34 hostages from the 250 who were taken have been confirmed or believed to have been killed. Israel is expected to release Palestinian hostages for every hostage returned in addition to allowing scores of humanitarian aid into the Gaza region. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said a “massive infusion of trucks” is expected to enter once the ceasefire begins. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe would send $123 million in aid to support those displaced. Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza during the bombing will be allowed to return to the area.
Negotiations for the terms of the second phase are set to take place on the 16th day of the first phase of the ceasefire, with the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt continuing to serve as mediators. On Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Hamas added “last-minute updates” to the deal, which amounted to reneging on the original terms. Hamas has denied any changes. Observers note that Netanyahu’s stance may be to maintain his fragile coalition, including far-right parties who want to keep fighting Hamas. In the interim, Israel has continued to conduct airstrikes on the region, with the Gaza Health Ministry claiming that over 80 lives were lost in the last 24 hours.
