Israel and Hamas reached an agreement yesterday to halt hostilities and release Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian detainees, marking a significant development in US President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza.
The announcement of the deal was met with celebrations from both Israeli and Palestinian communities, signaling a potential resolution after two years of conflict that resulted in the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians and the capture of the last hostages by Hamas.
The agreement, brokered in Egypt, is based on a 20-point peace plan for Gaza unveiled by President Trump the previous month. Officials from both sides confirmed the signing of the deal following indirect negotiations in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
As per the terms of the agreement, hostilities will cease, Israel will undertake a partial withdrawal from Gaza, and Hamas will release all remaining hostages held since the onset of the conflict in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The deal also includes provisions for the delivery of essential supplies such as food and medical aid into Gaza to assist the hundreds of thousands of civilians who have been displaced and are living in makeshift shelters following the destruction of their homes by Israeli forces.
While the signing of the agreement marks a significant step towards peace, there are still unresolved issues, including the finalization of the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released and the governance of Gaza post-conflict. Additionally, the disarmament of Hamas, a key demand from Israel, is set to be addressed in the second phase of the peace plan.
President Trump expressed optimism about the agreement and hinted at a potential visit to Egypt to commemorate the successful conclusion of the deal. However, challenges remain as Hamas has rejected certain aspects of the transitional authority proposed in the Trump plan.
The ceasefire is set to come into effect upon ratification by the Israeli government, following a meeting of the security cabinet led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump hailed the agreement as a milestone in ending the war in Gaza and expressed hope for broader peace in the Middle East.
The global community welcomed the deal, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasizing the need for a permanent cessation of hostilities. Bangladesh also voiced support for the diplomatic efforts, highlighting the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving conflicts and expressing readiness to contribute to post-war peacebuilding and reconstruction in Gaza.
The agreement, reached through closed-door negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh, involves the release of Palestinian prisoners sought by Hamas, including high-profile individuals like Marwan Barghouti. However, Israel clarified that Barghouti would not be part of the prisoner exchange.
Despite some reports of strikes in Gaza following the announcement, the ceasefire is expected to bring relief to the war-torn region and pave the way for a more stable and peaceful future.