After 15 months of devastating conflict, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a historic ceasefire, set to begin on January 19, 2025.
The deal, brokered with significant involvement from President-elect Donald Trump and his envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside Egypt and Qatar, outlines a phased plan to halt violence, release hostages, and address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
This agreement closely resembles a proposal introduced in May 2024, which Israel previously rejected.
At the time, the deal was backed by Hamas and international mediators but failed to gain Israeli approval, resulting in the continuation of hostilities. The renewed acceptance of the framework suggests a shift in political and military dynamics, enabling both sides to reach consensus.
The agreement begins with a 42-day ceasefire. During this period, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including women and children, in exchange for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces will withdraw from populated areas in Gaza, creating a buffer zone to allow displaced Palestinians to return home.
Concurrently, humanitarian aid will flow into Gaza at unprecedented levels, with 600 trucks carrying essential supplies, including fuel, permitted to cross the border daily.
The deal is structured into three phases. Following the initial cessation of violence and prisoner exchanges, the second phase will focus on further hostage releases and negotiations for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The third and final phase will center on Gaza’s reconstruction under international supervision, including long-term plans to rebuild infrastructure, restore services, and stabilize the economy.
Trump’s involvement in the final negotiations was instrumental. Leveraging his strong relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he secured key concessions from Israel and ensured Hamas’s compliance with the agreement.
While outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration helped lay the groundwork for the deal, Biden acknowledged Trump’s role in finalizing it, albeit with careful wording to avoid fully crediting his successor.
