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Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire: A Historic Step Toward Peace

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, after 15 months of intense conflict, Israel and Hamas have reached a groundbreaking ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, potentially paving the way to end the long-standing war. The historic deal, facilitated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, is set to go into effect on Sunday and introduces a multi-phase plan focused on hostages, troop withdrawal, and humanitarian aid.

Key Highlights of the Ceasefire Agreement

  1. Hostage Releases
    In the first phase, 33 women and children held hostage in Gaza will be returned to Israel. In exchange, Israel will release hundreds of jailed Palestinians. Approximately 94 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli officials estimating that one-third may no longer be alive.
  2. Israeli Troop Withdrawal
    Israeli forces will begin a phased withdrawal from Gaza, marking a significant de-escalation in the conflict.
  3. Humanitarian Aid Expansion
    Aid deliveries to Gaza will be ramped up to address the severe humanitarian crisis that has left over 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced.
  4. Long-Term Reconstruction
    Plans are being discussed for the reconstruction of Gaza, with estimates for rebuilding costs as high as $80 billion.

Netanyahu Thanks Trump for Ceasefire Progress

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for his instrumental role in promoting the release of hostages and advancing the ceasefire. Netanyahu also committed to ensuring Gaza “will never be a haven for terrorism” and confirmed plans to visit Washington to discuss the situation further.

A Controversial Path to Peace

The ceasefire has sparked criticism of the outgoing U.S. administration for delays in brokering a resolution. Critics, including former State Department officials, have argued that the agreement could have been achieved much earlier.

Josh Paul, who resigned from the State Department over U.S. arms support to Israel, called the delay “an absolute travesty.” Similarly, Annelle Sheline, another former official, stated that the deal “demonstrates clearly that Biden could have achieved a ceasefire all along if his people were really serious about it.”

Context of the Conflict

The war began on October 7, 2023, following a deadly Hamas raid in southern Israel that left approximately 1,200 people dead and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken. Since then, over 46,000 people in Gaza have been killed, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

As the ceasefire takes effect, hopes are high for a new chapter of peace and rebuilding in the region. However, the road ahead remains complex, with significant challenges still to be addressed.

 

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8 thoughts on “Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire: A Historic Step Toward Peace

  1. Afraid of the Orange Boogeyman…score another victory for DJT !

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    1. I don’t see what bogeyman can do more than what Israelis have done in the last 15 months. Scorched earth, nothing left to return to.

      1. couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of people

  2. Aaaaaand they spoke too soon.

  3. Not yet!

  4. And Israel celebrated by killing 72 more in Gaza today.

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    1. the more the better

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    2. Are you kidding me ?

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