Israel and Hamas Reach Ceasefire Agreement and Hostage Release Deal.

Family members of Gaza hostages protest outside Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv on January 15, 2025, calling for a ceasefire and hostages’ release. Courtesy image.

Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement to bring an end to 15 months of intense conflict. US President Joe Biden confirmed the deal, which stipulates a full and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. This agreement aims to halt the ongoing violence and is set to take effect on Sunday, January 19.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, emphasizing that the first priority is to alleviate the immense suffering caused by the conflict. He also stated that the UN is prepared to increase aid deliveries to the Palestinian population in Gaza, which has endured devastating losses during the fighting.

Despite the announcement of the ceasefire, hostilities have not yet ceased, and Israeli airstrikes continued to target Gaza as of Wednesday. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported that more than 20 people were killed in the airstrikes, underscoring the fragility of the situation until the ceasefire officially takes effect.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza. In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive, which has led to catastrophic casualties in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 46,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the conflict.

Despite the ongoing violence, the hostages held by Hamas remain a focal point of the agreement. Hicginewsagency Verify reports that 94 hostages are still believed to be in Hamas captivity, with 34 of them presumed dead. The negotiations for their release have been central to the diplomatic efforts in securing the ceasefire.

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