By Fatima Mukhtar
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, marking a major breakthrough in the nearly two-year-long conflict that has devastated the territory and claimed tens of thousands of lives.
According to Reuters, the deal includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from urban areas in Gaza within 24 hours, although forces will still remain in control of more than half of the enclave. Hamas, in return, will release around 20 Israeli hostages believed to be still alive within a 72-hour period.
As part of the agreement, Israel will free about 250 Palestinians serving long-term sentences and 1,700 detainees captured during the ongoing war. The ceasefire also paves the way for the daily entry of hundreds of trucks carrying food, fuel, and medical aid to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Soon after the ceasefire took effect, thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to their neighborhoods, many finding their homes reduced to rubble after months of intense fighting.
However, despite the truce, major political and security questions remain unresolved. Hamas has rejected any form of “foreign guardianship” over Gaza, insisting that governance should remain in Palestinian hands. Israel, meanwhile, continues to demand that Hamas disarm before any long-term peace arrangement is finalized.
The war, which began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and led to the abduction of 251 hostages, has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
International observers say the ceasefire offers a crucial, though fragile, window for humanitarian relief and potential peace talks, but both sides remain wary of each other’s commitments.
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