DOHA, Qatar — A ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas was announced by several officials on Wednesday, increasing hopes for a resolution to the deadly and destructive hostilities that have persisted for over a year.
The deal, reached after extensive negotiations in Doha, is said to include a phased release of numerous hostages held by Hamas, the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners currently in Israeli custody, and the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced people to their homes in Gaza. Additionally, it plans to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to a region devastated by months of warfare.
Multiple U.S. officials, along with a Hamas representative, confirmed the agreement’s existence, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that final details were still being refined. These officials opted for anonymity regarding specifics before the formal announcement by the mediators in Doha. Netanyahu’s office expressed hope that the agreement’s particulars would be finalized by nighttime, with any arrangement requiring approval from Netanyahu’s Cabinet.
Once formalized, the ceasefire is anticipated to implement an initial six-week halt to hostilities, which would coincide with discussions aimed at achieving a definitive end to the conflict. Within this period, 33 out of the nearly 100 hostages are expected to be reunited with their families after enduring prolonged isolation, although their survival remains uncertain.
Details about the timeline and number of displaced Palestinians returning to their homes are still unclear, as are the implications of the agreement regarding a full cessation of the conflict and the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza—key demands from Hamas linked to the release of remaining captives.
Long-term considerations regarding the governance of postwar Gaza and the significant reconstruction efforts necessary after the conflict persist, particularly as the violence has destabilized the broader region and incited global protests.
The war was ignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas executed a cross-border attack that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 250 others. In retaliation, Israel launched a vigorous military campaign resulting in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials, displacing roughly 90% of Gaza’s population and leading to a dire humanitarian crisis.
During a week-long truce in November 2023, more than 100 hostages were released from Gaza. The U.S., working in coordination with Egypt and Qatar, has facilitated months of indirect negotiations that led to this recent agreement. This followed a ceasefire in November between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, after an extended conflict associated with the Gaza war.
As Israel continues its military operations, the toll on Palestinian civilians has drawn significant international critique, including from the United States. While Israel asserts that around 17,000 militants have been killed, critics highlight the absence of evidence to support this claim and accuse Hamas of using civilian areas for military purposes.
The International Court of Justice is investigating allegations from South Africa that Israel has committed acts tantamount to genocide, while the International Criminal Court has issued warrants for war crimes related to the hostilities. Both Israel and the U.S. have vocalized their disapproval of these judicial actions.
In Israel, there is increasing domestic pressure on Netanyahu to secure the return of hostages, a topic that has captured national attention. Families of the abducted have formed a potent advocacy group demanding a resolution with Hamas. Official assessments indicate that over one-third of the remaining hostages are believed to have perished, further intensifying the pressure on the Israeli leadership.
While Hamas has encountered immense pressure due to Israeli military strikes, the organization appears to be regrouping in areas that have seen heavy bombardment. The durability of its military capacity remains a concern should the fighting continue.
Netanyahu has committed to the continuation of military actions until the extent of Hamas’s military influence is nullified, but the feasibility of such an objective is ambiguous given the group’s entrenched presence in Palestinian society, Lebanon, and among its exiled leadership.
If the ceasefire proves successful, both sides still face numerous pressing questions. Netanyahu risks calls for investigations into the security failures of October 7, which are considered a monumental lapse in Israeli history, as well as potential governmental instability stemming from the opposition of right-wing coalition partners to a ceasefire.
There remains uncertainty regarding Gaza’s governance moving forward. Israel has indicated its intention to collaborate with local factions not affiliated with Hamas or the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority. However, it remains unclear if such partners exist, given Hamas’s threats against cooperation.
The U.S. has sought ambitious plans for a postwar governance structure involving a revised Palestinian Authority, aiming for broader Arab and international support. As part of these aspirations, there is hope that Saudi Arabia will normalize relations with Israel in exchange for security assurances and economic assistance.
Nevertheless, these prospects hinge on credible movements toward establishing a Palestinian state—an objective met with resistance from Netanyahu and much of the Israeli political landscape. He has articulated plans to maintain unrestricted security oversight over Gaza and the West Bank, territories sought by Palestinians for their future nation.
In the absence of a cooperative postwar arrangement with Palestinian backing, the prospect of Hamas retaining significant authority in Gaza persists, with the potential to reestablish its military capabilities should Israeli troops fully withdraw.
