Israel and Hamas agree on a ceasefire in Gaza after 15 months of war

Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas have agreed to a peace deal to end the bloody 15-month war between the two sides in Gaza. The peace agreement was announced by the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani on 15 January after the meeting between the Israelis and Hamas in Doha, Qatar.

The peace deal calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire to be implemented in three phases. But the deal needs to be first approved by the Benjamin Netanyahu government of Israel.

After the approval of the Israeli government, the ceasefire will come into effect from 19 January 2025.

The peace agreement will bring to an end a bloody war between Israel and Hamas which started when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023 in which around 1200 Israeli and foreigners were killed and 252 were taken hostage.

In retaliation, Israel attacked the Hamas stronghold in Gaza in which more than 46,000 people, mostly civilians, were killed.

Main Points of the Peace Agreement 

The peace deal agreed in Doha will be implemented in three phases.

Phase I 

• It will start from 19 January 2025 and will be implemented in the next six months.
• Israel will withdraw its troops from all populated areas of Gaza and will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. It will also allow humanitarian aid in Gaza and reopen Rafah crossing with Egypt to allow humanitarian aid.
• Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages including women, children, and men over 50.

Phase II 

• After the completion of Phase I, Phase II will be implemented.
• Israel will withdraw from all areas of Gaza. 
• Hamas will release all the Israeli prisoners.

Phase III 

• In phase III there will be an interim Palestinian Authority in Gaza and West Bank with International partners.
• Israel and Palestine will negotiate for the creation of an independent state of Palestine.
• Arab country's security forces will be deployed in Gaza and the West Bank in the interim period to maintain peace before the transition to an Independent Palestinian State.

Who are the Guarantors of the Peace Accord?

• Qatar, Egypt, and the United States of America have played a crucial role in the signing of the peace accord between Israel and Hamas. 
• All three countries have been made guarantors of the peace deal and they will play a role in enforcing the deal.
• Egypt and Qatar will play a crucial role in coordinating with humanitarian organisations to facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza, ensuring international assistance reaches those in need.

Why Israel & Hamas Agreed for the Peace Deal 

The peace deal that has been signed between Israel and Hamas was first proposed by American President Joe Biden in May 2024. It was later approved by the United Nations Security Council.

However, the Benjamin Netanyahu government in Israel and Hamas leadership were not willing to accept the peace deal.

Some of the reasons why it has been accepted now  by both sides are as follows;

Hamas 

• Hamas's top leadership has been virtually eliminated by Israel and it has become very weak.
• The main backers of Hamas is Iran and its military power has been virtually destroyed by Israel.
• Iranian-backed Lebanese extremist group Hezbollah was a great supporter of Hamas but the Israeli military action in Lebanon has considerably weakened Hezbollah. It is presently in no position to help Hamas. 
• Donald Trump who will be sworn in as the president of the United States on 20 January 2025 has warned Hamas to release the hostage before he is sworn in or it will face the consequences.

Israel

• Donald Trump has also put pressure on the Israeli government to end current hostilities with Hamas.
• Within Israel, many in the government feel that military objectives have been achieved in Gaza and there was no point in continuing the military offensive.
• There was pressure on the Israeli government by the families of the hostages to secure the release of the hostages from Hamas.

For a complete background to the Israel Palestine Dispute Read.