After enduring over 15 months of relentless conflict, Israel and Hamas have finally reached a ceasefire agreement, bringing a much-needed pause to the ongoing violence in the region. The humanitarian toll has been devastating, with more than 46,000 Palestinian lives lost and over 1,200 Israelis perishing, as reported by health authorities in Gaza and Israel.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of around 250 hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a \"state of war\" on October 8 and initiated widespread airstrikes on Gaza with the goal of dismantling Hamas.
The situation escalated further on October 27, 2023, when Israel commenced a large-scale ground invasion into Gaza, intensifying the already dire humanitarian crisis. Amidst the chaos, a temporary four-day ceasefire was brokered by Qatar and other mediators on November 24, 2023, briefly halting hostilities. This ceasefire was extended by an additional two days, leading to the release of more than 100 hostages from Gaza and the release of 240 Palestinian detainees by Israel. However, Israeli airstrikes resumed on December 2.
On December 11, 2023, Israel expressed its readiness to negotiate a humanitarian ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages, while Hamas insisted on a halt to Israeli military operations before further discussions could take place. Ceasefire talks were revived on March 31, 2024, in Cairo, involving Israeli and Hamas representatives working through mediators.
The negotiations continued with a fresh round of talks in Doha on August 15-16, 2024, involving representatives from Israel, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt. While mediators described these talks as \"constructive,\" Hamas criticized the proposals, claiming they favored Israel and prolonged Palestinian suffering.
Progress stalled on November 9, 2024, when Qatar suspended mediation efforts due to what it cited as a lack of serious intent from both sides. However, by December 7, 2024, Qatar announced a resurgence in momentum for renewed negotiations, leading to the resumption of mediation efforts.
The breakthrough came on January 15, 2025, when Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire-for-hostages deal set to commence on Sunday. Under this agreement, Hamas will release 33 hostages in the first phase over six weeks in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees. The announcement was met with celebrations among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, signaling a hopeful step towards lasting peace.
Reference(s):
Key events in Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ceasefire negotiation
cgtn.com
