Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the ongoing war in Gaza and facilitating the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
This deal, confirmed by an official briefed on the discussions, marks a potential end to a 15-month conflict that has caused widespread devastation in the region.
The agreement follows months of intermittent negotiations, facilitated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with the support of the United States. It comes just ahead of the January 20 inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen breached security barriers and attacked Israeli communities, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of more than 250 hostages. In response, Israeli troops launched an invasion of Gaza.
The war has claimed more than 46,000 lives in Gaza, according to health ministry figures, leaving much of the territory in ruins. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are enduring harsh winter conditions in tents and makeshift shelters.
As Trump's inauguration approached, he repeatedly emphasized the urgency of securing a deal, warning of severe consequences if the hostages were not released. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff worked alongside President Joe Biden’s team to finalize the agreement.
For Israel, the return of hostages may alleviate some public frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over its handling of the October 7 attack, which was one of the deadliest days in the country’s history.
The conflict also spread throughout the Middle East, with Iran-backed militias in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen launching attacks on Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians. The ceasefire comes after Israel assassinated key leaders of Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah, a move that gave Israel the upper hand in the war.
