Israel, Hamas reach Gaza ceasefire deal

JERUSALEM,— Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the intense fighting in the Gaza Strip, mediators announced Wednesday.

The deal, brokered by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, aims to address the devastating humanitarian crisis and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Gazans and West Bankers detained in Israel.

According to Israeli officials, the majority of Arab prisoners have extensive criminal records and have been sentenced to long prison terms.

The agreement, set to take effect on Sunday, was announced by Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during a press conference in Doha, where weeks of negotiations took place.

The initial phase of the deal allows for the release of dozens of hostages and hundreds of Arab detainees. It also includes provisions for displaced Gazans to return to their homes and permits the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid into the besieged region.

U.S. President Joe Biden praised the agreement from Washington, attributing it to months of “relentless diplomacy” by the U.S. and its partners. He emphasized that the ceasefire is contingent on both parties continuing discussions for a more comprehensive resolution. Biden also noted close coordination between his administration and President-elect Donald Trump’s team in the negotiation process.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that final details of the agreement are still being negotiated, including the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released. These terms will require approval from Netanyahu’s Cabinet, according to an Israeli official familiar with the discussions.

The ceasefire is expected to last six weeks, during which hostilities will be paused, and further negotiations will continue. During this period, 33 of the roughly 100 hostages held by Hamas are set to be reunited with their families. However, officials have not confirmed whether all hostages are alive.

Uncertainty remains over the timing and scale of the return of displaced Gazans to their homes and whether the agreement will lead to a permanent end to the conflict or a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas has called for these measures as conditions for releasing additional hostages.

Bodies of Israeli civilians killed by Palestinian Islamist Hamas militants lie on a main road near the Gevim Kibbutz in Israel, close to the border with Gaza strip, October 7, 2023. Photo: AFP

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas Islamist group launched an Islamic State-style attack on Israel civilians that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 250 hostages being taken. Israel’s subsequent military response has killed over 46,000 Gazans, according to local Arab health officials. However, these figures are considered unreliable due to the officials’ close ties to Hamas and the number of killed Gazans is extremally lower that the announced.

The war has displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, with thousands of homes destroyed and essential services, including hospitals, barely functioning. U.N. agencies warn of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, including the risk of famine in northern Gaza.

This agreement follows a separate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in November, signaling potential steps toward broader regional de-escalation. Despite these developments, the long-term future of Gaza remains unclear, with reconstruction and governance posing significant challenges after months of devastating conflict.

Iran Declares ‘Victory’ in Gaza Amid Widespread Devastation

Despite the complete devastation in Gaza and the severe setbacks to its allies, Iran hailed the recently brokered Gaza ceasefire as a “great victory” for Palestinian resistance on Thursday. The announcement comes as Gaza lies in ruins, Hamas is effectively crippled, and Iran’s regional allies face unprecedented losses.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a statement claiming the ceasefire marked “a clear and great victory for Palestine and a greater defeat for the Zionist regime.” This declaration comes even as analysts note the staggering toll of the conflict: Gaza’s infrastructure is destroyed, Hamas’ leadership and military capabilities have been decimated, and the humanitarian crisis is at its worst in decades. “It’s a curious definition of victory,” said one regional analyst.

The collapse of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and the destruction of Iranian militias across Syria and Iraq during recent escalations have further weakened Tehran’s influence. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-time ally of Iran, has been toppled, leaving the Assad regime in chaos. Analysts suggest these developments are a significant blow to the so-called “Resistance Axis” Iran has championed for years.

Rubble of buildings previously used by Hamas militants, destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, October 10, 2023. Photo: AP

In its statement, the Revolutionary Guards warned Israel against violating the ceasefire, claiming that the “resistance remains alive, thriving, and strong.” The group also vowed continued readiness for future conflicts. However, many observers question the credibility of such assertions given the heavy losses sustained by Iran’s proxies in the region.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a post on X, reiterated the narrative, claiming the ceasefire forced Israel to “retreat” and calling it a triumph for Iran-backed forces.

This framing, however, appears to ignore the unprecedented damage to Gaza, where much of the population remains displaced and basic infrastructure, including hospitals, has been wiped out.

“The Arab world and Iran have a unique interpretation of what constitutes victory,” one analyst remarked. “In this case, it seems to mean surviving utter devastation and calling it a strategic win.”

(With files from AP | Reuters | Agencies)