The Gaza ceasefire, delayed by three hours on Sunday, has begun amid ongoing violence, including Israeli airstrikes. The truce, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, involves the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees. Despite hopes for peace, political turmoil and uncertainty surround the future of the ceasefire agreement.
A Delayed Start to the Ceasefire
The ceasefire in Gaza began on Sunday, three hours later than planned, amid ongoing violence. Israeli airstrikes continued during the delay, resulting in at least 19 casualties. Families in Israel feared the agreement with Hamas might fail at the last moment. However, the truce, brokered on Wednesday, finally commenced at 10:15 a.m. CET.
The delay was attributed to Hamas not providing the names of the hostages scheduled for release on time, which Hamas blamed on “technical reasons.” Eventually, three hostages—Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher—were freed and seen in a vehicle surrounded by crowds in Gaza. The Red Cross confirmed their stable condition. In exchange, Israel agreed to release 90 Palestinian detainees.
Stories of the Released
The three women endured traumatic experiences before their release. Romi Gonen, 24, was abducted on October 7, 2023, during the Nova Music Festival near Gaza. Emily Damari, 28, holds dual citizenship in Israel and the UK, while Doron Steinbrecher, 31, is also a Romanian citizen. Both were forcibly taken from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
In Gaza, thousands of displaced residents began returning to what remained of their homes. The UN estimates that 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced at least once during the conflict, often enduring harsh conditions. Many face uncertainty about the state of their homes after months of war, which has left large parts of Gaza in ruins.
Key Elements of the Agreement
The ceasefire, intended to last six weeks, marks the first stage of a three-phase agreement mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. In the first phase, 97 Israeli hostages are to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, Israel is expected to withdraw its forces from densely populated areas in Gaza and allow the flow of humanitarian aid. On Sunday, the UN’s World Food Program confirmed that initial aid deliveries had reached Gaza through key border crossings.
Subsequent phases of the deal remain uncertain. These include a broader ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and the exchange of additional prisoners. The final phase envisions rebuilding Gaza and repatriating the remains of Israeli hostages. However, these stages face significant political and logistical hurdles.
Political Fallout in Israel
The agreement has sparked political turmoil within Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a temporary measure and warned that Israel would resume military operations if negotiations for the next phase fail. The U.S. has pledged its full support for Israel in such a scenario.
Criticism from Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition has intensified. Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir resigned from the coalition in protest, leaving Netanyahu with a narrow majority in parliament. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also condemned the deal but remains in the government. Despite the internal strife, opposition leader Yair Lapid provided temporary support for the agreement in parliament.
Critics argue that releasing Palestinian prisoners could lead to future attacks. They demand the total destruction of Hamas, echoing Netanyahu’s earlier commitment after the October 7 massacre. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently noted that Hamas has recruited nearly as many fighters as it has lost, adding to the uncertainty of the ceasefire’s impact.
This temporary truce offers some relief but highlights the deep challenges in resolving the conflict. Whether it leads to lasting peace remains to be seen.
