Israel escalated airstrikes on Gaza just hours after a ceasefire deal was announced, set to begin Sunday. The agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., calls for a six-week truce and the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
The ceasefire deal, which came after months of negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., follows 15 months of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza. The agreement outlines a six-week ceasefire, with Israeli forces gradually withdrawing from Gaza and hostages being exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed at a Doha press conference that the ceasefire would take effect Sunday. U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed hope that the agreement would end the fighting, deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians, and reunite families separated by over a year of captivity.
The deal, however, still requires formal approval by Israel’s security cabinet and government, with votes scheduled for Thursday. Despite expected approval, some hardline members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government may oppose it.
Progress in negotiations accelerated when both the Biden and Trump administrations worked in tandem to push for an urgent resolution, according to outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew.
While celebrations erupted in Gaza and Israel, Israeli military actions intensified after the announcement. Reports from Gaza indicated heavy bombardments, especially in Gaza City, with airstrikes killing at least 32 people late Wednesday. The strikes continued into Thursday, destroying homes in Rafah, Nuseirat, and northern Gaza, local residents said.
Israel's military also reported that Gaza militants fired a rocket into Israel Thursday, but no casualties were reported.
In Gaza, news of the ceasefire sparked celebration, as residents, suffering from severe shortages of food, water, and shelter, took to the streets waving Palestinian flags and dancing. Ghada, a displaced mother of five, expressed her mixed emotions: “I am happy. Yes, I am crying, but those are tears of joy.”
Families of Israeli hostages also welcomed the news, expressing “overwhelming joy and relief” at the potential to bring their loved ones home after months of captivity.
In a statement, Hamas hailed the ceasefire as a significant victory for the Palestinian people, calling it a “turning point.” The deal, if fully implemented, would halt the fighting that has devastated Gaza, resulting in over 46,000 deaths and widespread displacement in the enclave.
The ceasefire also holds broader geopolitical implications, potentially easing tensions throughout the Middle East, where the war has fueled conflicts in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, and raised concerns about the possibility of an all-out war between Israel and Iran.
The first phase of the deal will see the release of 33 hostages, including all women, children, and men over 50. Among those to be freed are two American hostages, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen. The deal also calls for a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the U.N. and the International Committee of the Red Cross preparing to scale up their operations.
Global leaders from Egypt, Turkey, the U.K., the E.U., Jordan, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates have praised the deal. Both President Biden and former President Trump claimed credit for the successful agreement, which was achieved after intense negotiations lasting several days, with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, playing a pivotal role.
Despite the optimism surrounding the deal, some Israeli hostage families expressed concerns about the full implementation of the accord, fearing that some hostages may be left behind.
The second phase of the deal, set to begin 16 days after the first phase, would involve the release of all remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third phase would focus on returning all remaining bodies of the deceased and beginning the reconstruction of Gaza under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, and the U.N.
As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. While the promise of peace offers hope, the road ahead remains uncertain. The international community must remain vigilant in supporting both humanitarian efforts and the long-term stability of the region.
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