The Israeli administration has approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, representing a crucial move towards concluding the conflict in Gaza. This deal, facilitated by US President Donald Trump, seeks to provide relief to the beleaguered Gaza Strip and enable the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The Israel prime minister’s office released a video of Netanyahu, Witkoff and Kushner at the Knesset today. Netanyahu praised both men and Trump for their involvement in the negotiations.
“I want to personally thank both of you, Steve and Jared. It’s been long hours, you worked around the clock, but not only did you work — you put into it your brains and your hearts,” Netanyahu told the two American men.
They thanked the Israeli prime minister in return and said the two countries had “alignment” on a shared end goal.
Under the terms of the agreement, hostilities in Gaza are set to conclude within a 24-hour window, with the potential for a hostage exchange to commence early next week. The Israeli military is anticipated to withdraw its troops during this timeframe. However, the specifics of the broader peace initiative remain to be determined. Khalil Al-Hayya, a leader of Hamas, indicated that he was assured by the US and other mediators that the conflict has ended.
The agreement has sparked celebrations among both Israelis and Palestinians. Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo, a resident of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, conveyed his appreciation, stating, “Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing.” The ceasefire accord also permits humanitarian aid convoys that carry food and medical supplies to enter Gaza, providing relief to hundreds of thousands of civilians who have been displaced after Israeli forces demolished homes and leveled cities.
“People know that their homes were destroyed, but they will insist on going [back], to put their tents over the rubble of the homes,” he told Nil Köksal, host of CBC Radio’s As It Happens.
Despite the hopeful outlook, obstacles persist. The roster of Palestinian prisoners slated for release has yet to be established, as Hamas is insisting on the release of high-profile Palestinian detainees. The US will send 200 troops as part of a collaborative task force to maintain stability in Gaza, with no American personnel stationed in the Palestinian territory.
The confrontation in Gaza has led to a considerable loss of life, with more than 67,000 Palestinians perishing in Israel’s offensive, which was initiated after Hamas-led militants invaded southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 hostages. The ceasefire agreement is regarded as a significant diplomatic success for Trump, who has had difficulties fulfilling his promises to achieve peace in the Gaza conflict.
As the ceasefire is implemented, humanitarian assistance is anticipated to begin flowing into Gaza, and efforts will be made to tackle the humanitarian crisis. Amjad Shawa, a resident of Gaza, expressed cautious hope, saying, “Everything has run out from Gaza — food, water, so many lives. The only thing that we have is hope. So we’ll keep this hope.” The journey towards enduring peace is lengthy and complicated, but this ceasefire agreement signifies an essential step towards ceasing the violence and pursuing a resolution to the conflict.
