The ceasefire agreement in Gaza offers hope for an end to a 15-month war

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to begin on Sunday morning, marking a significant step towards ending a brutal 15-month conflict that has ravaged the Gaza Strip and sent shockwaves across the Middle East. The agreement includes the release of hostages and a gradual pullback of Israeli forces, bringing a fragile sense of optimism for peace to the region.

The ceasefire, brokered after months of negotiations by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, will take effect at 06:30 GMT on Sunday. The deal is structured in three stages, with the first stage lasting six weeks. During this period, 33 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, will be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The release of hostages will begin on Sunday afternoon, with three female captives being freed through the Red Cross in exchange for 30 prisoners. Following that, the agreement outlines further releases, including four more female hostages within seven days and three additional hostages every week thereafter.

The ceasefire is expected to provide relief for those displaced by the conflict. During the first phase, Israeli troops will begin withdrawing from areas of Gaza, particularly the Rafah region, and displaced Palestinians from northern Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes.

Despite the hopeful developments, the future of Gaza remains uncertain. There is no comprehensive agreement on how the region will be rebuilt after the war, which has left Gaza in ruins and caused devastating loss of life. The international community, particularly the United States, has been involved in pushing for an end to the hostilities, with President Joe Biden’s team working alongside President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy to ensure the deal’s success.

However, tensions remain high, and the ceasefire could unravel if either side fails to adhere to its terms. Israel has made it clear that it will not allow Hamas to regain control over Gaza, and some hardline factions in Israel’s government are already calling for the resumption of hostilities, which could jeopardise the fragile peace.

Beyond Gaza, the conflict has reshaped the Middle East. The war has sparked a confrontation between Israel and Iran, while Hezbollah, Iran’s ally, has suffered significant losses. In Syria, the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, another Iranian ally, has been toppled, further altering the regional balance of power.

As the ceasefire holds, the world watches closely to see if this tentative agreement will lead to a lasting peace or if tensions will flare once again. The human cost of the war has been staggering, with nearly 47,000 Palestinians reported dead, and the toll on Israeli soldiers has also been significant.