Israel and Hamas reached a historic ceasefire agreement, reportedly ending a 15-month-long war that Hamas started with its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. After a series of complex and high-stakes negotiations, the two parties finalized the deal, marking a significant development in their long-running conflict. Multiple news agencies, including the Associated Press (AP), confirmed the agreement on Wednesday.
Qatar’s prime minister, who played a pivotal role in mediating the talks, met separately with delegations from both Israel and Hamas to resolve lingering disagreements. According to a Qatari official, speaking anonymously, the talks nearly stalled at the last moment over security arrangements along Gaza’s border with Egypt. Israel had claimed that Hamas attempted to alter previously agreed-upon terms for these security arrangements. However, the Qatari mediator intervened, settled the dispute, and sealed the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire brings an end to a devastating 15-month war. Throughout this period, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar worked tirelessly to mediate between the warring parties, hoping to end the violence that had claimed thousands of lives. The conflict began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, and the taking of 251 hostages. Despite months of negotiations and attempts at ceasefires, both sides faced last-minute hurdles, making the path to peace uncertain.
By mid-2024, both sides had already agreed on the broad outlines of the ceasefire deal, although they delayed the final implementation due to ongoing disputes and complications.The war has left Gaza in ruins, with Israel’s military campaign killing 46,707 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza. Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced by the fighting.
Despite the ongoing ceasefire talks, violence persisted until the two sides officially reached the agreement. On the day they reported the ceasefire, Israeli military forces continued striking targets throughout Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces, including the Shin Bet intelligence service and the air force, attacked around 50 targets in the region. At least 13 Palestinians died as a result, including seven people in a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City, and six others in separate airstrikes on homes in Deir Al-Balah, Bureij camp, and Rafah. Additionally, a strike on a vehicle in the Nuseirat camp killed five more individuals, according to medical sources.
As of now, the ceasefire appears to be holding, but with the legacy of the war still fresh, many will be watching closely to see if this agreement can truly bring lasting peace to the region.
