After nearly 40 months of continuous violence following Hamas’ October 7th attack in Israel, the two groups reached a ceasefire deal this past week. The plan outlines efforts to return hostages on both sides, withdraw Israeli military violence in Gaza for a period, and establish a stable government in Palestine.
Background
The new ceasefire deal, announced on January 14th, comes following intense international criticism regarding the violence towards Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s military response destroyed large portions of the area and displaced over 90% of the population. In the agreement, Israel vowed to pull their troops out of Gaza for 6 weeks and allow for humanitarian aid efforts in previously blockaded communities. Both Hamas and Israel promised the release of dozens of current hostages and prisoners. While the deal brings optimism for peace in the future, the history and extent of the conflict implementation could prove difficult.
History of Conflict
The Gaza Strip has been a source of contention between Palestinians and Israelis for nearly a century. The establishment of an Israeli state within the Middle East has sparked tensions and violence since the early 20th century. Deep rooted conflicts and generational trauma on both ends has created a complex problem with few viable solutions. The two sides have been fighting over occupation of the Gaza Strip. Gaza is the Palestinian homeland, but Israel views the territory as their Jewish religious and political right following colonization in the 1900s. These differing viewpoints coupled with a wide range of religious, political, and ethnic disputes have led to wars and conflict for nearly a century.
While tensions have evolved for decades, they boiled over on October 7th, 2023 when Hamas launched an attack in Tel-Aviv that killed over 1100 Israelis. After the attack, Israel began their military efforts in which they claimed to take down the leaders of Hamas and reclaim the over 250 hostages taken in the attack.
Since October 2023, it is estimated that over 46,000 Palestianians have been killed, with a large portion of victims being children. Reports say 5% of the population has been injured as well. Israel has pummeled Gaza with bombs, and many believe it will take decades for Palestinians to recover. These efforts have been labeled as brutal, with some experts calling the Israeli Defense Forces’ actions genocide. The violence in Gaza has increased tension between Israel and other Middle Eastern states, and calls for a ceasefire from both sides and international parties have been persistent.
The Plan Outlined
The ceasefire plan offers a three phased guideline to establishing peace in the Middle East. The first phase has begun, and it consists of the ceasefire by Israel and periodic release of hostages on both sides. Once the 6-week period ends, Hamas must release all women, children, and elderly who are still hostage. The first phase has already led to concern because Israel delayed the ceasefire after Hamas refused to announce which hostages were being released. It is possible that these disputes will continue throughout the deal, and the plan will not be fully implemented.
The second phase will begin when peace looks sustainable and there is development of a new Palestinian government. While conversations about development are slated to begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire, the Qatar prime minister expressed willingness to mediate these talks immediately. The ceasefire and aid efforts will continue, and Hamas must release the rest of the hostages. Israel has made it clear that they will not withdraw military efforts until Hamas is no longer in power. There is concern about how feasible reaching this phase will be, as establishing a new government plan separate from Hamas proves difficult.
The final phase of this plan highlights the reconstruction and development of Gaza. International efforts and humanitarian aid causes would help rebuild everything in the strip that is destroyed.
International Criticisms
Although the ceasefire plan was mediated by foreign governments, such as the United States and Qatar, there are many international critiques and concerns surrounding the success of the deal. It is difficult to successfully end long-term armed conflicts, and both sides have reasons to continue fighting. Agreements like this ceasefire require cooperation from both sides, and there is no guarantee of participation. Some believe that neither Hamas nor Israel want to enact the deal, despite calls from their citizens to cease fighting.
The ceasefire deal has garnered negative responses from global leaders. President Donald Trump expressed low confidence with the plan’s effectiveness. Experts with the Atlantic Council are concerned with how to establish a stable government in Gaza, and there is low confidence that Hamas will fully step down. Without a new plan for security within a few months, Israel can continue attacks.
Optimism for the Future
Although this plan is just one step forward towards peace between Palestine and Israel, it has been widely anticipated and praised. While there are critiques, concerns, and challenges, the prospect of stability and security for Palestinians and Israelis presents hope to citizens and the international community. United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, called the agreement a “critical first step” to peace. Aid efforts have begun, and it is reported that 630 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday, the first day of the ceasefire.
The new plan also raises optimism because international governments had roles in negotiating and mediating the conversations. Often, these plans are dictated solely by the acting parties, and the international negotiation provides hope of more successful talks in the future. International parties offer neutral perspectives to aid in successful communication facilitation. Throughout the recent rise in violence, international governments have voiced their willingness to aid in peace talks and reconstruction. Their assistance could be crucial in successful agreements in the future.
The ceasefire plan between Hamas and Israel is a new beacon of hope amidst months of extreme violence and conflict. The world has been watching this conflict for years, and the recent intensification proved disastrous. With immense calls for a ceasefire from across the globe, this new deal provides optimism after many dark days. Despite the challenges and concerns regarding the deal, the agreement provides a potential brighter future for peace in the Middle East.
