A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Jan. 19 to end the ongoing conflict and address the urgent humanitarian needs of Israelis and Palestinians.
Hostages on both sides have begun to return and humanitarian aid in Gaza has been administered by international aid organizations in Europe and surrounding Arab states. The fighting has halted and displaced Palestinians have made their way back home to their families.
“Thank goodness. I mean, I wish it could have been a month or two months ago. Or a year ago. If it could stop even for a little while at this point, I’m all about it,” said Mark Huddle, Professor of History
There are three phases to the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that former President Biden addressed in a speech in the White House on Jan. 15. Many Americans are questioning whether or not the deal will truly end the 15-month-long war after learning of the phases.
Based on historical context, it is difficult to pinpoint when or if the war will be over.
“I don’t think either side will be satisfied on territory because they both feel they have an obligation towards the land,” said Tamara Bean, a junior philosophy major.
Israel and Palestine have had conflicts since the end of the 1800s. These conflicts pertain to territorial disputes, religious differences and political governance contrasts, which are several core reasons as to why both sides are struggling to compromise.
Various international mediators such as Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been working together to ensure the deal between Hamas and Israel is thorough.
Other international mediators such as the emir of Kuwait, Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi, were working closely with Biden at the end of his preseidnecy term to ensure the succes of the phases.
The first phase that Biden addressed in his speech is six weeks long and involves a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from the most densely populated areas of Gaza. Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages will begin to be released during this phase.
Hamas did not keep their promise when they said they would provide the names of the first three hostages set to be released during the first exchange. Israel then halted the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and continued to attack until the names were released. The initial time for the truce to begin, Jan. 19 at 8:30 a.m., was delayed by three hours because of this.
Despite the early setbacks, the ceasefire was successfully implemented to allow the release of the first groups of hostages.
Palestinians sang, prayed and cried as they awaited the arrival of the hostages held in Israel. Thousands of Palestinian prisoners returned home to the most heavily derailed location in Gaza, the Gaza Strip.
At the end of the first phase, all women, children and older men are expected to be returned to Israel by Hamas.
It is now expected for three Israeli hostages to be released every seven days as long as Palestinian prisoners are returned in exchange. Israel has expressed that they will not be releasing Palestinians who were involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.
Negotiations on how to end the war completely will take place during phase one and roll over into phase two. If these negotiations surpass the timeline, the ceasefire will remain in place until further notice.
The remaining living hostages will be released and the remainder of the Israeli soldiers will withdraw from Gaza. The third phase will allow for any remaining deceased hostages to be returned to their families.
Trump was interviewed by Fox News regarding the reconstruction of Gaza. “Think of it as a real estate development for the future,” said Trump. “It would be a beautiful piece of land.”
Updates are continuously coming out regarding the release of hostages and what will happen in the future of Gaza.
