Will the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Lead to Lasting Change?
- Ceasefire Agreement: Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire after 15 months of intense conflict, including prisoner exchanges and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
- Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction: The ceasefire allows for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the rebuilding of Gaza’s infrastructure, addressing the region's dire humanitarian crisis.
- International Reactions and Challenges: While the agreement is widely praised, challenges remain, including unresolved political issues, skepticism about lasting peace, and the ongoing humanitarian toll.
After 15 months of intense warfare, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is offering hope for an end to the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip. The agreement has garnered considerable international attention and is seen as a significant diplomatic achievement. It promises to facilitate the release of hostages from Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, marking a critical moment in this long-standing conflict. This ceasefire is considered the first substantial break in the violence since the brief truce that ended on December 1, 2023.
Gradual Path to Peace
Set to take effect on Sunday, the ceasefire follows several weeks of negotiations, primarily led by Qatar, which played a crucial role in mediating the deal. The ceasefire will be implemented in phases. Israeli forces are expected to gradually withdraw from the Gaza border, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes. The agreement also facilitates the exchange of hostages and prisoners, offering a much-needed humanitarian breakthrough. Humanitarian aid is set to enter Gaza, and efforts to rebuild hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure will begin.
As part of the deal, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for 100 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences. Israel, in return, will free 1,000 Palestinian prisoners who were not involved in the October 7 attacks. Some of these prisoners will be freed abroad, while others will return to Gaza.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Engagement
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed satisfaction with the deal, crediting months of intensive diplomacy involving the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. Biden emphasized that the ceasefire is a significant moment for both Israelis and Palestinians, with families eagerly awaiting the return of loved ones and the people of Gaza finally seeing hope after enduring so much suffering.
Despite the cautious optimism surrounding the agreement, senior Hamas official Basem Naim admitted that while the deal was a step forward, it came too late. He expressed regret that a similar deal could not be reached earlier but hoped the breakthrough would bring much-needed respite.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Hamas had made concessions, particularly in the deployment of forces in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land between Gaza and Egypt. However, Netanyahu’s office also acknowledged that several issues remain unresolved and hoped they would be addressed swiftly.
Humanitarian Crisis and Global Responses
The announcement of the ceasefire coincides with a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, worsened by the ongoing violence and a harsh winter. The region’s infrastructure has been decimated, leaving millions displaced. The widespread destruction has led to skepticism about the ceasefire’s potential to bring lasting peace.
International reactions to the conflict have been divided, particularly regarding Israel’s military tactics, which have drawn significant criticism. The humanitarian toll, including reports of sexual violence by both Hamas and Israeli forces, has further complicated the situation, with investigations underway in Israel.
Global organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have welcomed the ceasefire. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described peace as “the best medicine,” urging all parties to honor the agreement. He highlighted the severe health needs in Gaza, which the ceasefire could help address by facilitating the delivery of aid and the rebuilding of healthcare facilities.
In the U.S., Senator Bernie Sanders praised the ceasefire as long overdue but also called for accountability for war crimes on both sides. He stressed the need for humanitarian aid and urged that the United Nations and other aid organizations be given unrestricted access to Gaza.
The World Food Programme (WFP) also endorsed the ceasefire, though it emphasized that this is just the beginning. WFP called for the opening of all border crossings to ensure the smooth flow of aid into Gaza and requested increased humanitarian support to reach the most vulnerable populations.
Implications for Regional Politics and the Rafah Crossing
Former Egyptian official Hussein Haridy suggested that the ceasefire could open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and enabling injured Palestinians to receive medical treatment in Egypt. This development could have significant implications for regional politics, as Egypt plays a key role in the Gaza conflict.
Pressure from the Trump Administration
The success of the ceasefire is largely attributed to the pressure exerted by the upcoming Trump administration. According to Omar Rahman, a fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, President-elect Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, directly told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that the deal needed to be finalized. Despite this external pressure, Rahman cautioned that the U.S. must continue to apply pressure on Israel to prevent any delays or abandonment of the agreement.
Hamas, for its part, hailed the ceasefire as a victory, claiming it had thwarted Israel’s “war of extermination.” However, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the deal, arguing that it jeopardized Israel’s national security and insisting that the war should continue until Hamas is completely eradicated and all hostages are returned.
A Fragile Peace
While the ceasefire represents a breakthrough, Palestinian leaders like Mustafa Barghouti warned that the scars of the war—widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement—would persist long after the agreement is implemented. The ceasefire is set to unfold over six weeks, with Israeli forces gradually withdrawing from Gaza and displaced Palestinians returning home. The final phase of the agreement will focus on rebuilding Gaza’s shattered infrastructure.
Although this ceasefire marks a significant moment in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the path ahead remains uncertain. The many unresolved issues, compounded by the deepening humanitarian crisis and complex political dynamics, make it difficult to predict whether this fragile peace will hold. Continued international engagement and pressure will be vital to ensuring that the ceasefire leads to tangible progress toward peace.
