Quick summary
• Over 70 Palestinians, including 20 children, were killed in Gaza within hours of a cease-fire announcement, further deepening the humanitarian crisis.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a cabinet vote on the cease-fire deal, accusing Hamas of attempting to alter the agreement.
• Hamas rejected Netanyahu’s claims, reiterating its commitment to the terms of the cease-fire agreement.
• The deal includes a phased cease-fire, humanitarian aid, and prisoner exchanges but faces skepticism over Israel’s intent to resume hostilities after hostages are released.
• Netanyahu has assured right-wing ministers that military operations will continue after the initial cease-fire phase to meet broader goals.
• Palestinian casualties in the ongoing conflict have exceeded 46,000, with experts warning the death toll could be significantly higher due to under counting.
• International observers question whether the agreement will lead to sustained peace, as historical patterns show violations and renewed violence following similar deals.
The ceasefire agreement, announced on Wednesday after months of negotiations, initially sparked cautious hope among humanitarian groups and Palestinian civilians. However, Israeli forces launched a series of attacks across Gaza, killing at least 73 people, including 20 children, and injuring hundreds more. One strike hit a school housing displaced families in Gaza City.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a cabinet vote on the deal, accusing Hamas of backing out of certain terms. “The Israeli cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement,” Netanyahu said in a statement. Hamas firmly rejected this claim, with senior officials reiterating their commitment to the deal. “There is no basis for Netanyahu’s allegations that the movement has backed down from the terms of the ceasefire agreement,” a Hamas official said.
Details of the ceasefire agreement
The deal, expected to take effect Sunday, outlines a three-phase plan to halt hostilities and address the humanitarian crisis:
• Phase I (42 days): Immediate cessation of fighting, Israeli troop withdrawal to designated zones, and increased humanitarian aid—over 600 trucks daily—to Gaza. The phase also includes the release of 33 Israeli captives and 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
• Phase II (42 days): A declaration of “sustainable calm,” requiring the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza and further prisoner exchanges.
• Phase III: The reopening of Gaza’s border crossings, large-scale reconstruction efforts, and the exchange of deceased captives’ remains.
While the agreement mandates Israeli troop withdrawal, it also allows Israel to monitor Palestinian movement and conduct inspections, raising concerns about the feasibility of returning to normalcy in Gaza.
The violence in Gaza, described by experts as genocidal, has claimed the lives of over 46,000 Palestinians since October 2023, including more than 17,000 children. Official death tolls are likely a severe undercount, with recent studies suggesting that deaths from violence, starvation, and disease may exceed 70,000.
Living conditions in Gaza remain dire. The Israeli assault has left much of the region uninhabitable, with destroyed infrastructure, limited access to clean water, and restricted humanitarian aid. Many survivors have expressed both relief and sorrow, anticipating the opportunity to return to their neighborhoods while mourning lost loved ones. Thirteen-year-old Mohammed al-Nabahin told Al Jazeera, “It’s true that many people from Gaza have no homes to return to, but it’s good to be in your neighborhood, around your people and neighbors.”
Netanyahu’s right-wing government has faced backlash from far-right factions opposed to any ceasefire. Meanwhile, analysts remain skeptical about the agreement’s durability. Annelle Sheline, a research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, warned, “Despite the jubilation of the population in Gaza… there have already been signs that Netanyahu has no interest in a lasting ceasefire.”
Matt Duss, executive vice president of the Center for International Policy, added, “Netanyahu has reportedly assured his right-wing ministers that he will resume the war after phase I ‘until Hamas’ defeat.’” Duss emphasized that without addressing the structural occupation of Palestinians, “neither Israelis nor Palestinians will ever know the security and peace that both peoples desire and deserve.”
The involvement of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has also raised concerns. Reports suggest Trump offered Netanyahu support for expanded settlements in the West Bank in exchange for backing the ceasefire, potentially signaling a continuation of violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Despite the grim realities, Palestinians celebrated the announcement with music and dancing, even as they mourned the immense loss of life. Many expressed determination to find the remains of loved ones or visit graves once the ceasefire takes effect. Journalist Hind Khoudary said, “I want to hug the world.”
The success of the ceasefire hinges on strict adherence to its terms by both Israel and Hamas, as well as robust international oversight. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced plans for a reporting and enforcement mechanism, though details remain unclear.
Israel’s history of violating ceasefire agreements adds to the uncertainty. In a statement, Netanyahu reiterated, “There is no point in pretending otherwise… returning to fighting is needed in order to complete the goals of the war.”
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