The conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant organization that controls the Gaza Strip, has lasted for decades and has been characterized by frequent cycles of violence, humanitarian crises, and diplomatic interventions. After over 15 months of fighting, the recent ceasefire agreement reached on January 16, 2025, between the two sides marks a crucial break in hostilities and provides an opportunity to examine possible routes toward a more stable peace while also addressing immediate humanitarian needs. The breakthrough follows months of negotiations supported by the United States and mediated by Qatari and Egyptian officials. The ceasefire in Gaza, which started on Sunday, the day before Donald Trump’s inauguration, also prompted a response from Joe Biden, who is now president. The president of Israel has stated that the ceasefire is the best way to end this conflict.
Gaza War – Background of the conflict
When Hamas militants seized control of Gaza in 2007, the conflict began. Israel has since undertaken military operations to destroy Hamas and its infrastructure in retaliation for Gaza’s frequent rocket launches. The situation took a sharp turn on October 7, 2023. Israel’s military operations after a string of high-profile Hamas attacks on Israeli territory caused extensive damage and many fatalities, especially in Gaza. Following the attack, 1200 people were murdered and more than 250 were captured. According to Gaza sources, 46,000 Palestinians were killed when Israel reacted to the attack by dropping 85,000 tonnes of explosives. Over 18,000 of the dead are children according to the Gaza Health Ministry. International pressure for a ceasefire increased as a result of this violence, particularly as the humanitarian situation deteriorated.
Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas 2025
According to U.S. and Qatari officials, the agreement will be made in three stages, each lasting six weeks. It was presented as an effort to provide immediate aid to Israel and Gaza’s war-torn areas. The prime minister of Qatar briefed reporters that Phase 1 of the ceasefire was concluded, but Phases 2 and 3 are still in the draft stage and will be finalized following the conclusion of the first six weeks.
Phase 1
- In Gaza, additional help will be permitted, and Israeli forces will move eastward, away from population areas. A security source in Egypt said that plans are now in place to open the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing so that foreign supplies can enter Gaza.
- 33 prisoners will be released by Hamas in the first phase, with women, children, and the elderly being the first to go.
- About 2000 Palestinian prisoners will be released by Israel. On January 19, the Israeli troops started to leave Gaza.
- In the first stage of hostile release, three Americans who are thought to still be alive and in Hamas custody will be released.
- In addition, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian inmates in return for the hostages.
- Additionally, Palestinians can go back to their neighborhoods in every part of Gaza, and the influx of aid into the region will start.
Phase 2
If the first phase is successful, the second phase will start. On February 3rd, the second stage of the deal’s implementation will start. Before exchanging the remaining Israeli male held hostage, civilians, and soldiers, a permanent and durable halt to all military activities and hostilities must be announced. Israel will remove all of its troops from Gaza.
Phase 3
The third phase of the deal will involve the reconstruction of Gaza. The reconstruction of Gaza will start and last for three to five years, including homes, civilian buildings, and infrastructure, with compensation for all affected individuals under the supervision of several countries and organizations, including Egypt, Qatar, and the U.N. Israeli to seek remains of hostages killed in Gaza in final truce phase. Some reports suggest that the reconstruction of Gaza will cost around 50 billion dollars.
Hostage release conditions
The hostage situation was one of the most difficult issues to resolve during the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. During the fighting, both sides had captured detainees; Israel had imprisoned thousands of Palestinians, while Hamas had imprisoned many Israeli soldiers and civilians. Both sides used these hostages as a major source of leverage, and the ceasefire was contingent upon their release.
At first, Hamas called for the liberation of all Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons, especially those serving lengthy sentences. However, Israel placed restrictions on the range of the releases, stating that only individuals engaged in peaceful demonstrations or non-terrorism-related offenses would be released.
The terms involve –
- The prisoners would be released in stages, with those whose sentences were nearly finished or who had been held under questionable circumstances receiving preference. International mediators attempted to guarantee that both parties would respect the release after both parties agreed to submit a list of prisoners for exchange.
- Hamas committed to free all hostages held in Gaza as part of the ceasefire. These comprised Israeli residents, troops, and international nationals. The terms of their release were stringent: Hamas insisted that its detainees be given preference in the exchange, and Israel had to ensure that no military actions would be conducted during the hostage exchange.
- The ceasefire deals also called for the release of humanitarian workers who had been arrested by Hamas, in addition to the release of political prisoners. This was important for international relief efforts because helping the Gazan population required the participation of such workers.
Does the ceasefire answer the potential challenges in front of Gaza
Instead of offering a solution, the current ceasefire agreement is more likely to offer a framework for discussing challenges while the conflict is on hold. Since some members of Israel’s cabinet are against the decision to withdraw, it is up for debate whether Israel will remove all of its forces from Gaza without any significant flaws in the second phase of the agreement. Is there someone in Gaza who can assume the administrative and security responsibilities?
The agreement was accomplished but both sides must act in good faith and fulfill their end of the bargain for it to be implemented. Both Israel and Hamas declared partial wins in the immediate aftermath of the ceasefire but the situation on the ground was far more complicated. With tens of thousands of residents displaced, entire neighborhoods destroyed, and a crippled healthcare system, the situation in Gaza remained terrible. While the ceasefire allowed for a temporary halt to bloodshed and the admission of relief, it did not address the core causes of the conflict.
Impact on mankind
The Gaza Strip experienced an immediate and significant humanitarian impact from the ceasefire. Millions of civilians who had been suffering from the ongoing conflict were temporarily relieved when humanitarian help, like as food, water, and medical supplies, arrived. However, it was anticipated that the reconstruction would take years, and it was unclear whether Gaza’s infrastructure would be viable in the long run. Even while the cease-fire allowed medical personnel to evaluate the damage, many Gazan medical facilities were still having difficulty providing care. There was still a significant portion of the population in severe need of relief, and the ongoing blockade raised questions about whether aid could be sustained over time.
Are the political conflicts resolved with the agreement?
Although the ceasefire deal left many issues unanswered, the crisis may have been politically created. With Israel raising worries about the group’s ongoing military presence and Hamas claiming control of the region, the issue of Gaza’s governance continued to be a major source of friction. The ceasefire did not provide a framework for long-term peace negotiations or address the more significant problem of Palestinian statehood.
Concerns remained that the ceasefire was only a temporary solution because the problems about Jerusalem’s status, security, and territorial disputes had not yet been resolved, despite the cautious optimism expressed by the international community, which included the US, the EU, and Arab nations.
Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas 2025 and its Impact: Heading towards peace or not
Although it offered some relief, the truce did little to address the underlying problems that were fueling the Israel-Hamas war. It did, however, present an opportunity for introspection and perhaps discussion. Both parties may have the chance to investigate a long-term political settlement if foreign mediators continue to be involved. Nevertheless, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the rift between Israel and Hamas are still as severe and unsolved as ever.
A break from the decades-long bloodshed in the region was provided by the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Although it enabled the release of hostages and detainees and brought much-needed respite to civilians, it failed to address the fundamental political and geographical issues that kept the conflict going.