Thu Jan 16 20:48:52 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Ceasefire Announced After 15 Months of Conflict
**GAZA CITY** – A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending 15 months of conflict, is set to take effect on Sunday. The announcement follows intense mediation efforts, but comes after a renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza that resulted in dozens of Palestinian deaths. The timing is notable, with the truce taking effect just one day before US President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The details of the agreement remain undisclosed, but experts offer varying perspectives on its potential longevity. Beverley Milton-Edwards, a Non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Mairav Zonszein, a Senior Israel analyst at the International Crisis Group, and Diana Buttu, former legal adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization, all caution that while the ceasefire offers a desperately needed respite, numerous factors could lead to its collapse. Further analysis is needed to understand the terms of the deal and its long-term implications for peace in the region. The sudden Israeli attacks preceding the announcement raise concerns about the fragility of the agreement.
First Piper 