Agreement for Ceasefire in Gaza and Release of Hostages; Netanyahu Thanks Trump and Biden

Hours after the announcement of an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister reported that he thanked Donald Trump and Joe Biden regarding this matter. Mediators between Israel and the extremist group Hamas announced on Wednesday, January 26, that both sides had reached an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Qatar, one of the mediators, reported that the ceasefire would begin on Sunday, January 29, just hours after the initial announcement. This agreement is expected to end the 15-month devastating war in the Gaza Strip and may conclude the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas. According to Benjamin Netanyahu's office, he spoke separately with Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the current and future presidents of the United States, thanking them for their efforts in establishing the ceasefire. Netanyahu first spoke with Trump, who will officially become president in four days, and thanked him for his efforts to free the Israeli hostages. Meanwhile, on Thursday, January 27, Agence France-Presse reported, citing Israeli media, that the Israeli cabinet was set to approve the ceasefire agreement with Hamas and the release of hostages on that day. According to the Prime Minister of Qatar, 33 Israeli hostages will be released in the first phase of the agreement, which could lead to a 'permanent ceasefire.' Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani added, 'The two parties involved in Gaza have agreed on the exchange of prisoners and hostages, and the mediators have announced the ceasefire with the hope that a permanent ceasefire will be established between the two sides.' The Prime Minister of Qatar further stated, 'We hope that this agreement will end the war and that all parties will fully adhere to it.' Concurrently, Joe Biden, the President of the United States, also announced the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, calling the negotiations one of the 'most difficult' of his presidency and expressed that he is 'very pleased that this day has come.' Biden then added that the second phase of the agreement, which has yet to be finalized, will include a 'permanent end to the war' and emphasized that he is 'confident' that this agreement will hold. Netanyahu's office had stated just minutes before these remarks that there are still final details of the agreement remaining and that more work is needed. The Israeli Prime Minister's office stated, 'An official statement from Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister, will only be issued after the final details of the agreement, which are currently being worked on, are completed.' Agence France-Presse, citing an informed source, reported that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages was reached after the Prime Minister of Qatar met with Hamas negotiators and, on the other hand, with Israeli negotiators in his office. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union. The text of this agreement was drafted with the mediation of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, with representatives from both the current and incoming U.S. administrations present at the Doha negotiations. Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, also wrote on Wednesday that this agreement has been reached and that Israeli hostages are to be released. This agreement, which was reached after weeks of tough negotiations in the Qatari capital, guarantees the phased release of dozens of Hamas hostages and also includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. What are the main points of the new ceasefire and hostage release plan? According to this agreement, the war will be halted for six weeks, during which negotiations for a complete end to the war will begin. Additionally, 33 out of approximately 100 hostages held by Hamas will be released, although it is still unclear whether all hostages are alive. The agreement includes the return of some displaced Palestinians to their homes in Gaza, but the exact timing and number of returnees have not been specified. Long-term questions regarding the future of Gaza, including the governance of the area and its reconstruction, remain unanswered. According to this agreement, the entry of vital humanitarian aid into the devastated region will be facilitated. This war, which began with Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the hostage-taking of 250 individuals, prompting a harsh response from Israel that, according to Gaza officials, has killed over 46,000 Palestinians and displaced 90% of the population in the area. Wednesday's agreement is the first hopeful sign for the end of this devastating war that has destabilized the Middle East and created a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hamas demanded guarantees for a permanent end to the war and the complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza. On the other hand, Israel has repeatedly stated that it will not cease hostilities until Hamas's military and governmental capabilities are destroyed. Various actors have been engaged in scattered and discontinuous negotiations for months. However, given the limited time of Joe Biden's presidency and the impending start of Donald Trump's presidency, both sides were under intense pressure to reach an agreement. The acceptance of a ceasefire by Hezbollah in Lebanon, following heavy blows and the downfall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, represents two significant defeats for Iran and its regional allies, including Hamas, which ultimately placed the group in further isolation. Israel has faced severe international criticism, including from its closest ally, the United States, due to civilian casualties. Israel claims to have killed approximately 17,000 militants but has not provided evidence to support this claim. Israel also holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties, accusing the group of using schools, hospitals, and residential areas for military purposes. The International Court of Justice is examining allegations made by South Africa against Israel in this regard. The International Criminal Court, a separate body based in The Hague, has also issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, his defense minister, and a Hamas commander on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war. Both Israel and the United States have condemned the actions of both courts. Netanyahu is also facing significant internal pressure to bring back the hostages; an issue that has garnered national attention. The families of the hostages have become a powerful lobbying group with widespread public support, demanding that the government reach an agreement with Hamas after months of widespread protests. Hamas, a militant group that does not accept the existence of Israel, has been under severe pressure from Israeli military operations. These operations include attacks on the largest cities and areas of Gaza and control over the border between Gaza and Egypt. Senior Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, who is said to have played a role in planning the October 7, 2023 attack, have been killed. However, Hamas forces have reorganized in some heavily damaged areas following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, increasing the likelihood of prolonged conflicts if the war continues. There is still no clear plan for governance over Gaza after the war. Israel has stated that it intends to cooperate with local Palestinians who are not affiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. However, it is unclear whether such partners exist, and Hamas has threatened to punish anyone who collaborates with Israeli forces. The United States has attempted to advance broad plans for governance after the war in Gaza by a reformed Palestinian Authority, with the help of Arab nations and the international community. Part of these plans includes the U.S. hope for the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, in exchange for U.S. security guarantees and assistance in establishing a civilian nuclear program for Saudi Arabia. However, these plans depend on meaningful progress towards the establishment of a Palestinian state, which Netanyahu and a large portion of Israeli politicians oppose. Netanyahu has stated that Israel will maintain unlimited security control over Gaza and the West Bank; areas that Israel occupied in the 1967 war and that Palestinians seek for their future state. Several Arab countries welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages, including Najib Mikati, the interim Prime Minister of Lebanon, who said, 'With the announcement of this agreement, a bloody chapter in the history of the Palestinian people, who have suffered greatly under Israeli attacks, comes to an end.' The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates also described the agreement as an opportunity to improve the critical conditions in Gaza. This ministry urged both sides to adhere to the agreement to end the suffering of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.