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The Prime Minister of Qatar announced that Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday as well as the release of hostages held in Gaza. This agreement, hoped as a step towards lasting peace, provokes contrasting reactions around the world.
A significant step forward in a deadly conflict
The announcement of this agreement was made as the fighting between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7, 2023, had caused devastating human losses. According to official figures, more than 46,700 Palestiniansmostly civilians, died during the Israeli strikes, while the initial Hamas attack on Israeli territory caused the death of 1,210 people. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said the ceasefire would come into effect on Sunday. He also confirmed that the first part of this agreement will include the release of 33 hostages detained by Hamas, including women, children and the elderly. In exchange, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners.
Reactions on the ground
In Israel, the families of the hostages held in Gaza expressed palpable emotion at the announcement of this news. In Tel Aviv, demonstrators demanding the release of captives celebrated the deal with hope. On the other side, in the Gaza Strip, thousands of people welcomed the prospect of a truce, hoping for a respite from more than 15 months of violence. Randa Sameeh, a displaced Gaza resident, said: “I can’t believe this nightmare is coming to an end. We lost everything: our loved ones, our homes, our security. »
International mediation at the heart of the agreement
This agreement is the result of intensive negotiations orchestrated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. The Qatari prime minister announced that the three countries would form a body based in Cairo to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire. According to sources close to the talks, the discussions had broken down on sensitive points, including the conditions for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi stressed the importance of speeding up the entry of this aid into Gaza, while discussions were opened to reopen the Rafah crossing point.
-Support and criticism on the international scene
US President Joe Biden welcomed the deal, saying it was a crucial opportunity to end the fighting, provide essential humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostage families. Biden, however, faced criticism over his administration’s perceived inaction in the early months of the conflict. His successor, Donald Trump, claimed that this agreement was the direct result of his election victory and his future presidency. Trump promised to work with Israel to ensure that the Gaza Strip never again becomes a “haven for terrorists.”
A future humanitarian and political challenge
Despite this agreement, many challenges persist. One of the major issues concerns access to humanitarian aid for a population of Gaza devastated by months of war. According to the UN, around 80% of residents depend on international aid. The UNRWA agency, which provides basic services, faces an imminent ban on its activities in the Palestinian territories, decided by Israel. At the same time, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to consider a long-term political solution, including a reunification of Gaza and the West Bank under the leadership of a reformed Palestinian Authoritywith the objective of creating an independent Palestinian state.
Prospects for lasting peace
The ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages mark an important step, but it remains to be seen whether this truce can lead to a lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The normalization of relations between Israel and other Arab countries, notably Saudi Arabia, is often cited as a promising avenue for stabilizing the region. As negotiations continue, international pressure remains strong to prevent a return to hostilities and to end one of the deadliest conflicts in recent years.
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