After over a year, the Israel-Hamas Conflict has potentially concluded as the two have come to a ceasefire and are negotiating hostage deals. The conflict, which began in Oct 2023, was characterized primarily by disputes between the Israeli military and the terrorist group Hamas over the territory in Gaza, in addition to attacks on Israel. However, it expanded to include violence in the West Bank as well. Recently other middle eastern nations and terrorist groups began to be involved, including Hezbollah, a terrorist group originating in Lebanon, and Iran, amid other countries. According to AP News, at this point the devastating conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, and approximately 2,000 Israelis, in addition to wounding over 100,000 people, and displacing about 1.9 million Palestinians and over 75,500 Israelis.
However, as of Jan 19, a ceasefire has begun between the two, offering a respite, and potentially an end to the conflict. The ceasefire is set to occur in stages, the first being a six-week stage during which hostages will be exchanged. The US proved vital in the negotiation of this ceasefire, with Former President Biden discussing it with Netanyahu and establishing it just days before leaving office.
Hostages have begun to be exchanged between Hamas and Israel, with Israel releasing 90 Palestinian hostages, and Hamas releasing three Israeli prisoners. However, there are still many hostages yet to be released by either power, something that will hopefully occur during this truce. According to CNN, Hamas still has over 30 Israeli hostages, and as noted by ABC7, Israel still has approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Beyond the exchange of prisoners, the truce has also prompted Israel to withdraw its military from locations throughout Gaza, further alluding to the possibility of a lasting peace. Additionally, at this point it will be possible to provide more humanitarian aid in Gaza.
According to The Washington Post, the second phase of the truce deal involves the exchange of all the remaining hostages between the two sides, as well as the withdrawal of all Israeli military forces from Gaza. The third phase would then occur, involving Hamas returning the bodies of Israeli hostages that were killed, and begin reconstructing Gaza.
Hopefully, through the negotiations of this truce deal, the peace between Hamas and Israel will be lasting, and all phases of the deal will be followed through on both sides.
Destruction in Gaza. (BBC)