Celebrations as Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire 

Celebrations broke out in Israel and Gaza on Thursday after Israel and Hamas agreed to implement the first phase of a ceasefire intended to end the war, a deal that promises an immediate halt to two years of conflict that has caused a humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave and international condemnation of Israel, NPR reported. 

The two sides signed the long-awaited deal in Cairo after marathon talks that ran from Wednesday into early Thursday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. 

The breakthrough followed three days of indirect negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, and brokered by the United States. 

US President Donald Trump announced the accord on Wednesday and said he was prepared to travel to the region. 

On Friday, the Israeli government ratified the ceasefire, clearing the way to suspend fighting in Gaza within 24 hours, Reuters added. 

The first phase of the ceasefire is part of Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at ending the war that broke out after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the abduction of more than 250 others.  

Israel’s campaign in response to those attacks has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the enclave’s health authorities, devastated most of the territory, and has led to famine-like conditions. 

According to the plan’s first phase, Hamas will release the remaining 48 hostages within 72 hours of cabinet approval – an initial release as soon as Monday, a US official told USA Today – in exchange for Israel freeing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.  

Israel will pull back forces to an agreed-to line still being determined while maintaining a presence in Gaza initially. The deal will also see the immediate flow of aid and the formation of a technocratic interim administration in Gaza overseen by an international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump. 

The proposed plan also requires Hamas to disarm, with amnesty offered to those fighters who lay down their weapons. The armed group will also have to forfeit any future role in governing Gaza in the future. 

While Hamas has appeared willing to abandon any role in Gaza’s governance, it appears less willing to completely disarm. 

News about the agreement received both praise and criticism in Israel and across the globe.  

Hamas thanked Trump and said it had submitted prisoner lists, while insisting the agreement reflects the “steadfastness” of Gazans and reiterating its commitment to Palestinian national rights. Hamas officials also said they are seeking a US guarantee that Israel would not resume bombing Gaza after hostages are released.  

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a great day for Israel,” with hostage families and groups representing them celebrating the news in Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces said it welcomed the deal but ordered strong defensive measures on all fronts. 

However, Netanyahu’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said he would not support the agreement, particularly the release of Palestinian prisoners. 

World leaders expressed support and pledged to provide humanitarian aid and help in reconstructing the battered territory, Euronews wrote. 

Despite an optimistic outlook, some observers noted that the details and overall timeline of the agreement are still unclear. Rebuilding Gaza will take years, and the question of Palestinian rights and statehood remains unresolved. 

Others also remained cautious about whether the new ceasefire will hold, citing previous ones that had collapsed, including the last one earlier this year.