Israel, Hamas Agree to Ceasefire Ending 15-Month Gaza War

The agreement follows months of intermittent negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with key support from the United States. It comes just days before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who had been vocal in urging for a swift resolution to the conflict.

The war erupted in October 2023 when Hamas-led gunmen breached Israel’s security barriers and attacked Israeli communities, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israeli civilians and soldiers, and the abduction of over 250 hostages, both Israeli and foreign. In retaliation, Israel launched a widespread military campaign in Gaza, which has since claimed more than 46,000 lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and left the densely populated coastal enclave in ruins. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are now living in makeshift shelters, enduring harsh winter conditions.

As Trump’s inauguration looms, his administration had been adamant about securing a resolution to the hostages' plight, warning of severe consequences if they were not released. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, worked closely with President Joe Biden’s team to finalize the agreement.

The return of the hostages is seen as a potential means of alleviating mounting public discontent in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has faced sharp criticism over its handling of the October 7 attacks, which marked the deadliest day in Israeli history.

The war’s impact rippled throughout the Middle East, with Iran-backed militias in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen launching attacks on Israeli targets in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. However, Israel gained the upper hand following successful military strikes that killed top Hamas leaders, as well as key Hezbollah figures in Lebanon.

This ceasefire deal represents a fragile but significant step towards peace, offering a glimmer of hope to a region long scarred by violence.