A historic ceasefire agreement has just been concluded between Israel and Hamas. Four Israeli hostages held since last October will be released this Saturday, while 900 humanitarian aid trucks have already entered the Gaza Strip. A first step towards peace?
This is a first step towards easing tensions in the Middle East. Israel and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, reached a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday after more than a year of deadly war. A historic truce which must come into force this Sunday and be accompanied by concrete measures, first and foremost an exchange of prisoners and massive humanitarian aid.
Four Israeli hostages soon free
At the heart of this agreement, the long-awaited release of four young Israeli women, held by Hamas since October 7. According to the leaders of the Islamist movement, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Doron Shatanbar Khir and a fourth hostage whose identity has not been revealed will be handed over to the International Red Cross this Saturday January 25during an operation supervised by Egypt and Qatar, the main mediators.
An immense relief for their families who have been mobilizing tirelessly for 470 days. The first three prisoners had already been released last Sunday, allowing peace negotiations to be accelerated.
900 humanitarian aid trucks enter Gaza
Another key point of the agreement:delivery of emergency humanitarian aid to the Gaza Stripdevastated by bombings. According to the UN, more than 900 trucks loaded with food, water and medical equipment were already able to enter the Palestinian enclave on Monday, more than initially planned.
Humanitarian aid continues to enter the Gaza Strip as part of the prepared surge in aid to survivors. Today, 915 trucks entered Gaza, according to information received from Israeli authorities and guarantors of the ceasefire agreement.
-The UN Office of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha)
The 2 million inhabitants face a catastrophic situation, with numerous shortages. The al-Shifa hospital, the largest in Gaza, is saturated with wounded while the fuel reserves to operate the generators are almost exhausted.
A precarious ceasefire
Despite the relief, caution remains in order in the face of this unexpected agreement, after 15 months of deadly clashes. Hamas imposed its conditions, first and foremost the release of nearly 800 Palestinian prisoners. Some of them, suspected of terrorism, worry the Israeli authorities and part of public opinion.
A standoff is also looming over the blockade of Gaza, which Hamas wants to lift. Israel has already warned that it will maintain a “defensive blockade”, making any relaxation conditional on the return of the remains of two soldiers held by the Islamist movement. The question of borders and reconstruction promises tough negotiations.
Hailed by the international community, the truce therefore remains very fragile. The next few weeks will be decisive in verifying whether the ceasefire can lead to real de-escalation. But for the first time in many months, there is hope of peace in the Holy Land.
