Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Ends Fighting in Gaza

Gaza Strip —(Map)

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, bringing a temporary end to the fighting between the two sides. The ceasefire began on Sunday, January 19, and will last for six weeks. As part of the ceasefire, Hamas will release Israeli hostages, and Israel will release Palestinian prisoners.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is a big step toward peace for the two groups, which have been at war for 15 months. The fighting began after Hamas brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2022, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages.

Israel sent soldiers into Gaza and has continued to pound the area with bombs since the war began. Close to 70% of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed, and over 46,000 people in Gaza have been killed, many of them civilians.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, bringing a temporary end to the fighting between the two sides. Roughly 90% of Gaza’s people have been forced from their homes. Under the ceasefire deal, they can now return. Above, people in Gaza City walking toward their homes on Sunday.

There have been many efforts to stop the fighting. But this time, with the help of diplomats from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, the two sides reached an agreement that seems to be working.

The agreement has three separate stages. The six-week ceasefire is the first stage. During this stage, Hamas has agreed to let 33 Israeli hostages go. This will include all women and children, as well as men older than 50. In exchange for each hostage, Israel will release between 30 and 50 of the Palestinians they have been holding prisoner.

On Sunday, Hamas released the first three women, who were taken to safety in Israel. In exchange, Israel later released 90 Palestinians that it had been holding, including 69 women and 21 teenage boys. Above, people gathered in Tel Aviv, Israel react as they learn that the first Israeli hostages have been released.

On Sunday, Hamas released the first three women, who were taken to safety in Israel. In exchange, Israel later released 90 Palestinians that it had been holding, including 69 women and 21 teenage boys.

Another important part of the first stage is for Israel to remove its soldiers from areas where people live in Gaza. Roughly 90% of Gaza’s people have been forced from their homes. This will allow them to return.

The first stage of the deal also requires Israel to allow more aid – at least 600 supply trucks a day – to come into Gaza.

Under the deal, Israel will remove its soldiers from areas where people live in Gaza. The first stage also requires Israel to allow more aid – at least 600 supply trucks a day – to come into Gaza. Above, aid trucks drive through southern Gaza on Sunday.

If the ceasefire continues to work, the two sides will begin to discuss the second stage. The goal of this stage is to end the war permanently. All of the people taken hostage by Hamas will be released, and Israel will release roughly 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel must also remove all of its soldiers from Gaza.

The final step will include rebuilding Gaza. This will be a huge challenge. Because so much of the area has been destroyed by Israel’s attacks, the effort could take years.

The final step of the agreement will include rebuilding Gaza. This will be a huge challenge. Because so much of the area has been destroyed by Israel’s attacks, the effort could take years. Above, a view of the area near one of the camps in Gaza for people forced from their homes.

Perhaps an equally big challenge for the third stage is to reach an agreement on who will be in charge of Gaza. Israel has already said that Hamas can’t lead Gaza. Israel has also said “No” to the Palestinian Authority, which was in charge of Gaza until Hamas took control.

Both Israelis and Palestinians are happy a ceasefire has been reached. Gaza is experiencing calm and quiet for the first time in a long time.

But the ceasefire is just the first step toward peace. There are many problems still to be solved, and despite the progress, the deal could still break down.