Ceasefire Reached: Israel and Hamas Agree to End 15-Month Conflict

January 16, 2025, New Delhi: Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement to end 15 months of iconflict, with significant implications for both the region and the wider international community. Confirmed by US President Biden and Qatar’s Prime Minister, the deal promises a phased cessation of hostilities in Gaza alongside the exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Terms of the Ceasefire

The agreement’s implementation is set to began on Sunday, January 19, marking the first steps toward de-escalation. In the initial phase, Hamas will release 33 hostages, while Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from its jails.

US President Joe Biden announced that the ceasefire represents a broader opportunity for peace, hinting at a second phase of negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent resolution. “This is not just a temporary pause,” Biden stated. “We’re looking at the potential to end this war for good.”

The announcement has been met with hope, tensions remain high. The end of fifteen month old war where more than 46,000 Palestinians were killed and around eighty percent of the buildings damaged in Gaza. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported that Israeli airstrikes killed over 20 people on Wednesday, including 12 residents in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. These incidents highlight the fragility of the truce as both sides work toward its enactment.

The ceasefire will also include provisions for maintaining buffer zones within Gaza, a contentious issue in negotiations. The Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarized zone established under the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, will play a major role in these arrangements.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcoming the ceasefire saidthat the urgent need to alleviate the immense suffering caused by the conflict is needed and , pledged increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Meanwhile, public sentiment in both Israel and Gaza has been cautiously optimistic. Even though there have been celebrations that erupted in Deir al-Balah and Tel Aviv, where residents expressed relief and hope for a peaceful future.

The ceasefire’s phased approach will begin with the release of hostages, followed by comprehensive negotiations to solidify peace.

Talks for the second phase, aimed at ending the war entirely, are slated to start 16 days after the initial implementation.

The agreement reflects extensive international diplomacy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to both outgoing US President Joe Biden and incoming President-elect Donald Trump for their roles in brokering the deal. According to statements from Netanyahu’s office, the leaders pledged to collaborate on ensuring Gaza never again becomes a haven for terrorism.

The ceasefire’s timing—set to take effect on Biden’s last day in office—has drawn attention to the dynamic between the two administrations. Biden dismissed questions about credit for the deal with characteristic bluntness, remarking, “Is that a joke?”

Challenges Ahead

As the international community watches closely, the road to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges. Trust between the parties is tenuous, and the logistics of prisoner exchanges and buffer zone management are complex. Nonetheless, the ceasefire offers a rare glimmer of hope in a region scarred by prolonged conflict.

While the ceasefire marks a turning point, its ultimate success will depend on sustained commitment to dialogue and compromise from all parties involved.

In a follow up Egypt, Qatar with support of US are going to continue to monitor the ceasefire and follow up the implementation of the ceasefire.