Sun Jan 19 02:51:36 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Ceasefire: 15-Month Conflict Ends, but Challenges Remain

**Jerusalem/Gaza City, January 19, 2025** – A three-phase ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending a 15-month conflict that claimed over 46,000 Palestinian and 1,200 Israeli lives, officially came into effect on Sunday. The deal, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., involves the phased release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The first phase, lasting 42 days, will see the release of 33 Hamas hostages and approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel will partially withdraw its Defence Forces (IDF) from Gaza, allowing the daily entry of 600 humanitarian aid trucks. A key element of this phase is the partial IDF withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor, facilitating the movement of displaced Gazans. However, Israeli troops will remain in the Philadelphi Corridor, maintaining border control with Egypt.

Discussions on the second phase, involving the release of the remaining hostages and a formal end to hostilities, are scheduled to begin after 16 days. The third phase will address long-term issues.

The agreement, while similar to a proposal rejected eight months ago by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reflects a shift in Israel’s strategic assessment. Factors cited include strengthened regional standing following attacks on Hezbollah leadership and Iran’s military infrastructure, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the inability of the IDF to fully achieve its military objectives in Gaza despite Hamas’s significant losses. The involvement of Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, in the final negotiations also played a significant role, according to reports.

While the first phase offers a glimmer of hope, significant challenges remain. Hamas demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a condition Israel is unlikely to meet completely, creating a potential point of future conflict. The long-term stability of the ceasefire hinges on resolving this fundamental disagreement. The successful implementation of the three phases will be crucial to determining the lasting peace in the region.

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