The devastating war between Palestine and Israel came to a halt on Sunday (19 January 2025) as Hamas released the first three hostages it had held for 15 months. This was coupled with a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. What will follow is the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners by Israeli forces. The ceasefire was facilitated and mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt through months of indirect negotiations.
Hailing the ceasefire, former US President, Joe Biden, said “The deal that I first put forward last May for the Middle East has finally come to friction. The cease-fire has gone into effect in Gaza and today we are seeing hostages being released. By the 16th day of the deal, talks will begin in a second phase. This phase includes the release of Israeli soldiers and a permanent end of the war without Hamas in power or able to threaten Israel. Hundreds of trucks are entering Gaza, as I speak, they are carrying assistance for civilians who suffered enormously from the war that started on October 7, 2023, nearly 15 months ago.”
But this ceasefire came after Israeli forces airstriked Gazan civil defence agency, killing at least eight people and injuring over 25. The attack was followed by Israel’s announcement of a delayed ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin, Netanyahu delayed the ceasefire in the absence of a proper list of hostages by Hamas. This was not the only hurdle that the ceasefire and peacekeeping in Palestine had to see. The Jewish Power Party of Israel also resigned from the government in a protest against the Gaza ceasefire deal. This does not dissolve the coalition, but it does destabilise and weaken Prime Minister Netanyahu‘s position.
