Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to cease hostilities in Gaza, involving the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, according to reports.
This deal, which aims to bring an end to the 15-month war that has destabilized the Middle East, follows prolonged negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with U.S. support.
The agreement was finalized just before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, after he pressured for a swift resolution, warning of severe consequences if hostages were not released. His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, collaborated with President Joe Biden’s administration to secure the deal.
The conflict escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants breached Israeli security barriers, killing 1,200 soldiers and civilians and taking over 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza resulted in over 46,000 deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and left the territory devastated, with many residents enduring harsh winter conditions in makeshift shelters.
The ceasefire may alleviate some public outrage in Israel over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the October 7 security breach, the deadliest day in the nation’s history. The conflict had also spread regionally, with Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen attacking Israel in support of the Palestinians.
In recent weeks, Israel’s targeted killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders reportedly gave it an advantage in securing the deal.
