Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire after 15 months of conflict
Qatar and the United States officially announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire proposal after nearly 15 months of conflict. The agreement will be implemented in three phases.
According to the statement from the Qatari government, which facilitated the negotiations for the ceasefire, the process will begin once the Israeli Prime Minister’s office approves the final version of the ceasefire agreement. This will mark the start of the phase to end the conflict in Gaza and free the hostages.
U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed hope that the war in Gaza would come to an end. He stated that the agreement would “stop the war in Gaza, increase the volume of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and return the hostages to their families after approximately 15 months of captivity.”
The ceasefire agreement, if formally approved by the Israeli Prime Minister, will be implemented over six weeks in three phases. These phases include ending the conflict in Gaza, sending humanitarian aid to Palestinians living in Gaza, releasing hostages, and efforts to rebuild Gaza.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that it has received the final version of the agreement and is currently reviewing it for final approval: “An official statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be issued only after the final details of the agreement, which are currently under review, have been completed.”
On the other hand, the BBC has reported that Hamas has approved the draft version of the agreement. The media also mentioned that the final version of the agreement is expected to be approved by Israel today, Thursday, January 16.
This ceasefire comes after the bloody clashes between Israel and Hamas over the past 15 months, during which approximately 1,200 Israelis and over 46,700 Palestinians have been killed.
The announcement of the ceasefire agreement is a hopeful development in the ongoing conflict, offering a glimmer of peace after months of violence and destruction. However, while the ceasefire presents an opportunity for humanitarian aid and rebuilding, the underlying political and territorial issues remain unresolved.
Moving forward, the international community must continue to support efforts for long-term peace in the region. Both Israel and Palestine have endured immense suffering, and a sustainable peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict, ensuring security for both peoples, and fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
The post Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire after 15 months of conflict appeared first on Khaama Press.