Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, according to statements from Qatar and the United States.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, according to statements from Qatar and the United States.

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire and a hostage release deal after 15 months of conflict, according to mediators Qatar and the United States.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani stated that the agreement would take effect on Sunday, pending approval from the Israeli cabinet.

US President Joe Biden expressed that the deal would "stop the fighting in Gaza, provide critical humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages with their families."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that the final details of the agreement were still being finalized but thanked President Biden for his efforts in facilitating the deal. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya credited the agreement to the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.

Many Palestinians and the families of Israeli hostages welcomed the ceasefire news, but fighting in Gaza continued without pause.

According to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, Israeli airstrikes killed over 20 people following the announcement by Qatar. Among the victims were 12 residents of a building in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

Israel's military campaign against Hamas began after a large-scale cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US, and several other countries.

Since the conflict started, over 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry. The 2.3 million residents of Gaza have suffered massive displacement, severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter, and widespread destruction, with aid struggling to reach those in need.

Israel reports that Hamas is still holding 94 hostages, with 34 presumed dead. Additionally, four Israelis abducted before the war remain unaccounted for, two of whom are confirmed dead.

Qatar's prime minister urged "calm" from both sides ahead of the first six-week phase of the ceasefire deal. During this phase, 33 hostages—including women, children, and elderly individuals—will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.israeli forces will pull back to the east, away from Gaza's densely populated areas. Displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes, and hundreds of aid trucks will be permitted to enter Gaza daily.

Negotiations for the second phase, expected to secure the release of remaining hostages, a full Israeli troop withdrawal, and a return to "sustainable calm," will begin on the 16th day.

The third and final phase will focus on rebuilding Gaza, a process likely to take years, and the return of the bodies of any remaining hostages.

Sheikh Mohammed stated that "a clear mechanism to negotiate phases two and three" had been established, with details to be published "in the next couple of days" once finalized. He also confirmed that Qatar, the US, and Egypt, which played key roles in brokering the deal, would work to ensure both Israel and Hamas meet their commitments.

We hope this will mark the end of the war, and we urge all parties to honor the terms of this agreement,"he added.

President Biden stated that the plan, which he first proposed eight months ago, was "the result of intense pressure on Hamas, a shift in the regional dynamics after the ceasefire in Lebanon, the weakening of Iran, and persistent, careful American diplomacy."

In a statement, he added, "As we welcome this progress, we remember the families who lost loved ones in Hamas's attack on October 7 and the many innocent lives lost in the war that followed. It is long overdue for the fighting to stop and for efforts to build peace and security to begin."

At a later press conference, Biden acknowledged the involvement of President-elect Donald Trump, who had urged both sides to secure the release of hostages before his upcoming inauguration on Monday.

In these past few days, we have worked as a unified team," Biden said, noting that much of the plan's implementation would occur after he left office.

Trump was the first to publicly confirm the agreement, ahead of official announcements from the White House and Qatar.

Later, in a social media post, Trump took credit for the "historic" deal, describing it as an "epic achievement" made possible by his victory inNovember.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office expressed gratitude to President-elect Donald Trump for his role in facilitating the release of hostages and aiding in easing the suffering of the hostages and their families.

"The prime minister emphasized his commitment to securing the return of all hostages by any means necessary," the statement read, while also acknowledging President Biden's contributions.

Netanyahu's office added that an official statement from the prime minister would be issued only after the final details of the agreement were completed.

Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, described the deal as one that would bring "deeply painful" moments and pose "significant challenges," but affirmed it was "the right decision."

The Israeli cabinet is expected to approve the agreement, potentially as early as Thursday morning, despite opposition from far-right coalition members. Once approved, the Israeli government will release the names of Palestinian prisoners slated for release. Families of victims will have 48 hours to file appeals. Some of the prisoners set to be released are serving life sentences for murder and terrorism.

Hamas’s chief negotiator and acting Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, called the deal "a milestone in the struggle against the enemy, advancing our people's goals of liberation and return."

He stated that the group would focus on "rebuilding Gaza, easing the suffering, and healing the wounds," but cautioned, "We will not forget, and we will not forgive" the pain inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza.

As news of the agreement spread, images showed crowds celebrating and waving Palestinian flags in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah and the southern city of Khan Younis.

Sanabel, a 17-year-old from Gaza City, shared her feelings with BBC OS: "We are all so happy. We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. Finally, I can sleep without fear... It’s time to heal."

Nawara al-Najjar, whose husband was among over 70 people killed during an Israeli operation to rescue two hostages, expressed her hopes for the future: "After the ceasefire, I want to give my children the best life possible. I want them to overcome the fear we’ve lived through. They are terrified, and the fear has deeply taken hold of their hearts."

Gaza Ceasefire Deal Reached Between Israel and Hamas, Mediators Say

Israel and Hamas have reached a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement after 15 months of conflict, according to mediators from Qatar and the US.

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, stated that the agreement would take effect on Sunday, pending approval by the Israeli cabinet.

US President Joe Biden said the deal would "halt the fighting in Gaza, provide much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages with their families."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that details were still being finalized but thanked Biden for supporting the negotiations. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya attributed the deal to Palestinian "resilience."

Many Palestinians and families of Israeli hostages celebrated the announcement, though fighting on the ground in Gaza continued.

The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported that Israeli airstrikes killed more than 20 people, including 12 residents of a building in the Sheikh Radwan area of Gaza City, following Qatar’s announcement. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

Background of the Conflict

Israel launched its military campaign against Hamas—designated a terrorist organization by Israel, the US, and others—after an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023. In the attack, approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 251 were taken hostage.

Since then, more than 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health authorities. The ongoing conflict has displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents and caused severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.

Israel has confirmed that 94 hostages are still held by Hamas, with 34 believed to be deceased. Four Israelis abducted before the war—two of whom are dead—remain unaccounted for.

Details of the Agreement

The first six-week phase of the ceasefire includes:

The release of 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly individuals, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

A withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas in Gaza

Allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.

Permitting hundreds of aid trucks to enter Gaza daily.

Negotiations for the second phase will commence on the 16th day, focusing on releasing remaining hostages, achieving a full Israeli troop withdrawal, and establishing "sustainable calm."

The third phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of any remaining hostages' bodies. Sheikh Mohammed stated that the agreements for the subsequent phases would be finalized and published soon.

Qatar, the US, and Egypt, who helped broker the deal, will monitor its implementation.

Global Reactions

President Biden emphasized that this agreement was the result of persistent American diplomacy and the pressure placed on Hamas. He urged both sides to work toward lasting peace.

President-elect Donald Trump also claimed credit for pressuring both parties, stating that the agreement "could only happen because of our historic victory in November."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog acknowledged the challenges of the deal but called it "the right move." Netanyahu’s office thanked both Biden and Trump for their contributions.

Voices of Hope and Caution

Celebrations erupted in Gaza, with residents waving Palestinian flags in towns like Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.

Sanabel, a 17-year-old from Gaza City, expressed her relief: "Finally, I can sleep without fear. It’s time to heal."

Nawara al-Najjar, whose husband was killed during an Israeli operation, said, "I want my children to overcome their fear. The terror has settled deep in their hearts."

In Tel Aviv, families of Israeli hostages also celebrated. British-Israeli Sharone Lifschitz, whose 84-year-old father remains a hostage, said the news brought a sense of "sanity" but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding her father’s fate.

Moshe Lavi, a relative of another hostage, called it "a mixed day" and stressed the need for continued advocacy to secure the release of all hostages.

Call for Resolution ,UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that the priority must now be to ease the immense suffering caused by the conflict and work toward long-term peace.

My Analysis

The announcement of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas signifies a step toward de-escalation after a prolonged and devastating conflict. However, the continuation of Israeli airstrikes even after the ceasefire deal was announced raises concerns about the deal’s implementation and Israel’s commitment to peace. While the agreement provides hope for families on both sides, it remains to be seen whether it will bring lasting peace or simply be another temporary pause in a long-standing and deeply rooted conflict.

This agreement underscores the intense diplomatic pressure from the international community, particularly the US and Qatar, to resolve the conflict. The involvement of countries like Egypt in mediating between the two sides highlights the complex geopolitical nature of the situation.

Despite the ceasefire, significant challenges remain, such as the ongoing displacement of millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the trauma of the hostages. Both sides face internal political pressures that could undermine the agreement. Israel’s far-right coalition and Hamas's hardline stance on retaliation could further complicate any steps toward lasting peace.

Background of the War

The war between Israel and Hamas began after an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 individuals. In response, Israel launched Operation Iron Swords, targeting Hamas infrastructure in Gaza, which escalated into a brutal conflict marked by heavy casualties on both sides. The war has led to the deaths of over 46,700 people in Gaza and left millions displaced, with severe shortages of basic necessities like food, medicine, and shelter.

This conflict is part of a much larger, ongoing struggle between Israel and Palestinian factions, particularly Hamas, with deep-rooted historical, territorial, and political causes. The cycle of violence between Israel and Hamas has been a long-standing issue, exacerbated by the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict over land, sovereignty, and mutual recognition.

Condemnation of Israeli Violations of War Acts

Israeli actions during the conflict, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, the reported targeting of non-combatants, and the collective punishment of the Gaza population, have raised serious concerns regarding violations of international law. These actions have been condemned by human rights organizations as potential war crimes, with accusations of disproportionate use of force and disregard for civilian life. Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, including the restriction of humanitarian aid and the destruction of vital infrastructure, has been widely criticized by the international community as a breach of international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions.

The continuous blockade of Gaza, restrictions on medical supplies, and the destruction of residential areas violate the rights of civilians under the Fourth Geneva Convention. The Israeli military’s use of heavy artillery and airstrikes in densely populated areas has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties, raising further questions about the legitimacy of such actions underinternational law.