This is a huge relief for the people of Gaza. After 15 months of a devastating war, Israel and Hamas finally agree to a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages. But questions remain unanswered about the future of the Palestinian territory…
This is a major development in the conflict that has pitted Israel and Hamas for more than 15 months. According to diplomatic sources, the two parties accepted a ceasefire agreement in Gaza on Wednesday, also providing for the release of hostages held by the Palestinian group. An announcement which arouses immense relief and scenes of jubilation across the Gaza Strip, devastated by months of war.
A laboriously negotiated agreement under international pressure
The agreement, the result of intense diplomatic efforts led by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, comes a few days before Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The elected president had recently promised “hell” to the region if the hostages were not released before his inauguration, scheduled for January 20.
According to leaked information, the agreement initially provides for the release of 33 Israeli hostages against a thousand Palestinians detained by Israel. The second phase will concern the rest of the captives, as well as the return of the bodies of the deceased hostages. In total, 94 people are still in the hands of Hamas, of whom 34 are dead according to the Israeli army.
We have a hostage deal in the Middle East. They will be released soon.
– Donald Trump, President-elect of the United States
A fragile truce that raises questions
If the Israeli government confirmed the agreement, it nevertheless warned that “issues remained to be resolved” and that it hoped to conclude the last points “overnight”. Only a one-week truce was observed at the end of November 2023, and the talks had so far been met with intransigence from both camps.
The announcement of the agreement sparked scenes of jubilation in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians took to the streets to express their joy and relief. After more than 15 months of a war which left tens of thousands dead and reduced a large part of the territory to ruins, many aspire to return to normal life.
After too long months of conflict, we feel immense relief for the hostages, for their families and for the people of Gaza.
– Alexandre De Croo, Belgian Prime Minister
A devastated territory and an uncertain future
But if the ceasefire silences the guns, it leaves many questions about the future of the Gaza Strip unanswered. Already very weakened, Hamas, which has controlled the territory since 2007, has emerged considerably weakened from the conflict. The scale of the destruction and the humanitarian crisis affecting the territory’s 2.4 million inhabitants pose immense challenges.
According to the United Nations, more than half of the buildings have been destroyed or damaged, and essential infrastructure is on its knees. Reconstruction could take up to 15 years and cost more than 50 billion euros. A titanic task for this Palestinian enclave, subject to an Israeli blockade since 2007 and already undermined by poverty and unemployment before the war.
Removing the various obstacles that the UN has faced (…) is essential to providing aid.
– Eri Kaneko, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Major security and political challenges
Beyond the humanitarian emergency, the ceasefire agreement opens a period of political uncertainty for the Gaza Strip. While Hamas appears very weakened, it remains to be seen who will control the territory and how its reconstruction will be organized.
Faced with these challenges, the international community has a crucial role to play in consolidating the truce and supporting the peace process. For his part, US President-elect Donald Trump warned that he would not let Gaza become a “haven for terrorists” again. But many question its ability to relaunch negotiations that have been stalled for years.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas constitutes an important step for regional stability.
– Hakan Fidan, Turkish Foreign Minister
If the announcement of the ceasefire in Gaza is greeted with immense relief by a population exhausted by the war, it only marks a first step towards lasting peace. Crucial questions remain unanswered, whether on a humanitarian, security or political level. After more than 15 months of devastating conflict, the international community, regional actors and stakeholders will have the difficult task of consolidating this still fragile truce and working towards the reconstruction and stabilization of Gaza. An immense challenge, but crucial to restore hope to the inhabitants of this battered territory.
