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Israel-Hamas conflict nears ceasefire agreement after 15 months of conflict

Published : Tuesday, 14 January, 2025 at 7:02 PM  Count : 193
Fatema Amin Jarin
Fatema Amin Jarin

Fatema Amin Jarin

After 15 months of relentless conflict, there are signs that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas may soon bring an end to one of the most devastating wars in recent Middle Eastern history. 

The conflict, which erupted in October 2023, has left over 46,000 Palestinians dead, with most of the casualties being civilians. In Gaza, hospitals are overwhelmed, infrastructure is destroyed, and millions of people face unimaginable hardships. Despite this, hostilities have continued, with both sides launching airstrikes and rocket attacks, prolonging the suffering of innocent civilians.

The ceasefire negotiations, which have been taking place in Doha, Qatar, are now in the final stages. A draft agreement has been formulated and is expected to be presented to the Israeli and Hamas leadership for approval within the next 24 hours. This deal, if agreed upon, promises to deliver significant relief to the region, but the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.

The proposed ceasefire would involve a gradual cessation of hostilities, allowing both sides to scale down military operations over a set period. This approach aims to prevent a sudden collapse of the ceasefire, as both Israel and Hamas have previously been accused of violating agreements in the past. A monitored and phased approach is seen as crucial to maintaining trust between the parties.

The most significant aspect of the agreement is the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. These hostages, who have been held since the war's outset, are a central issue for Israel. In exchange, the agreement is expected to include provisions for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a long-standing demand of Hamas. The fate of these prisoners has been a key point of contention and a significant bargaining chip in the negotiations.

Another important provision is the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow the delivery of vital aid to Gaza. Since the beginning of the conflict, Gaza has been under a brutal blockade, with airstrikes, naval blockades, and ground operations restricting the flow of essential supplies. The establishment of these corridors will allow international organizations to deliver food, water, medical supplies, and other necessities to those in desperate need. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is critical, with hospitals running out of medicine, civilians facing severe food shortages, and over 2 million people living in dire conditions.

Despite the progress made in negotiations, violence continues on the ground. On January 12, Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza killed at least 33 Palestinians, deepening the already severe humanitarian crisis. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed that the airstrikes targeted Hamas military positions, including weapons depots and rocket launch sites. Meanwhile, Hamas has continued to fire rockets into southern Israel, although the intensity of these attacks has reportedly decreased in recent weeks.

In Gaza, entire neighborhoods have been leveled by airstrikes, and essential infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and power plants, has been destroyed. The civilian population is bearing the brunt of the violence, with entire families displaced and seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters. The United Nations has warned that without a ceasefire, Gaza could descend further into chaos, with the risk of mass starvation, disease, and further loss of life.

The toll of the conflict is not limited to Gaza. In Israel, more than 1,000 people have been killed, and thousands more have been injured. The south of the country has been particularly hard-hit, with towns and cities regularly targeted by Hamas rocket fire. Despite the protective Iron Dome missile defense system, which has intercepted many rockets, civilians continue to live in fear of daily attacks.

The international community has been closely monitoring the ceasefire talks, with many world leaders urging both sides to prioritize peace. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called on both Israel and Hamas to accept the terms of the agreement, emphasizing the need to end the suffering of innocent civilians. Guterres also stressed that any ceasefire agreement must be followed by a broader political dialogue to address the underlying issues of the conflict, including the future status of Gaza, Palestinian statehood, and the recognition of Israel.

The European Union, Egypt, and Jordan have all expressed support for the ceasefire negotiations, urging both sides to show restraint and respect for any agreement reached. Egypt has played a pivotal role in facilitating talks between Israel and Hamas, acting as a mediator in the peace process. The United States, under President-elect Donald Trump, is also closely involved, with U.S. envoys meeting with both sides to ensure that the ceasefire deal is finalized.

Despite these efforts, the ceasefire is far from certain. Both Israel and Hamas have internal factions that are deeply opposed to compromise. Hardline elements within both groups have called for continued fighting, and there is skepticism about whether the ceasefire will hold in the long term. The history of failed ceasefires between Israel and Hamas looms large, and many fear that this agreement could follow the pattern of previous attempts to end the violence.

Even if the ceasefire is implemented, the road to lasting peace remains uncertain. The underlying issues of the Israel-Palestine conflict—territorial disputes, the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian statehood, and the right of return for refugees—remain unresolved. These issues will require further negotiations, likely over the course of years, to reach a comprehensive peace agreement.

For now, however, the focus is on bringing an end to the immediate violence and alleviating the humanitarian crisis. The international community remains hopeful that this ceasefire could serve as the first step toward a broader peace process. But with so much at stake and so many entrenched interests, the chances of success are far from guaranteed.

As the world watches, both Israeli and Hamas leaders are under immense pressure to accept the ceasefire terms. If approved, the ceasefire could mark a turning point in the region’s long history of conflict, but the true test will be whether both sides can overcome decades of mistrust and build a lasting peace.

(The writer is a student of Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University)





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