Doha/Jerusalem (Web Desk): Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached an agreement to pause the ongoing conflict in Gaza, paving the way for a potential resolution to the 15-month-long war that has profoundly impacted the region.
According to international media reports, this accord includes provisions for the exchange of Israeli hostages with Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations, which had been inconsistent over the months, were facilitated by Egypt and Qatar, with strong support from the United States, and came just before the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president on January 20, 2025.
The violent escalation began in October 2023, when Hamas militants breached Israel’s security measures and launched an attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, and the abduction of more than 250 individuals.
Israel responded by launching a full-scale military campaign in Gaza, which has caused over 46,000 Palestinian casualties, according to official health reports from Gaza.
The region has been left in ruins, with many survivors enduring severe hardships, including the winter’s harsh conditions, in temporary shelters.
As Trump’s inauguration neared, he intensified calls for a swift resolution, warning that failure to secure the release of hostages would lead to severe consequences. His administration, alongside the team of President Joe Biden, worked diligently behind the scenes to finalize the terms of the deal.
In Israel, the return of the hostages is expected to help alleviate mounting public dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, which faces increasing criticism for its handling of the security breach on October 7, the deadliest day in Israel’s history.
Meanwhile, the conflict’s impact has extended beyond Gaza, as Iran-aligned militias in countries like Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen have launched retaliatory strikes against Israel in solidarity with Palestinian groups.