Gaza and Israel welcome ceasefire and hostage deal but will the war end

Palestinians in Gaza have been celebrating the news of a ceasefire and hostage release deal reached between Israel and Hamas.

The ceasefire which is intended to mark the end of 15 months of war is due to begin on 19th January.

The US President Joe Biden confirmed agreement had been reached for a full and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of all the hostages held by Hamas. 94 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas of whom 34 are presumed to be dead.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had long resisted a ceasefire and hostage agreement for months, due to pressure from right-wing members of his cabinet, knowing a deal could bring his government down. However it’s understood that the prospect of US President-Elect Donald Trump taking office had put pressure on both Israel and Hamas.

This latest bloody phase of a conflict that’s lasted many decades began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 back to Gaza as hostages. The attack triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza, during which more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The obstacles to any permanent peace are huge. Much of Gaza lies in ruins and Hamas has said it will not forget Israel for the suffering it has inflicted on Palestinians there. Many nations are calling for focus now on a two-state solution to address the roots of a conflict that has lasted for more than 70 years.