A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas officially began in Gaza on Friday, as confirmed by the Israeli military, following the approval of a deal by Israel’s Cabinet earlier that same day. This agreement calls for a halt to hostilities and lays the groundwork for exchanging the remaining hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners.
In Wadi Gaza, a central area of Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians began moving northward after the Israeli military announced the ceasefire at midday local time. Prior to the announcement, residents had endured intense shelling throughout the morning, though bombing largely eased following the military's statement.
This ceasefire represents a crucial move towards ending a devastating conflict that has raged for two years, resulting in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and leaving vast areas of Gaza in ruins. The protracted violence has profoundly destabilized the Middle East and left many hostages—both alive and deceased—within the Gaza Strip.
However, the broader peace initiative, championed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, still leaves many unresolved issues. Key questions remain about the disarmament of Hamas, the future governance of Gaza, and how lasting peace can be ensured.
Despite these uncertainties, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared resolute in a televised speech, stating that subsequent phases would focus on disarming Hamas and ensuring Gaza's demilitarization. He warned, “If this process happens smoothly, so be it. If not, it will be enforced by force.” Netanyahu also emphasized that Hamas agreed to the ceasefire only under extreme pressure, symbolized by saying, “The sword is still on its neck.”
The Israeli military reported that its forces had started pulling back to specified deployment lines around noon. An Israeli security official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the situation, revealed that approximately half of Gaza would be under military control in these new positions.
Earlier on Friday, shelling continued, particularly in the Nuseirat refugee camp located centrally in Gaza. Mahmoud Sharkawy, displaced from Gaza City and now sheltering there, described a significant increase in artillery fire early that morning, accompanied by frequent low-flying military aircraft overhead. Similar reports of shelling came from northern Gaza City, where residents expressed confusion over ongoing bombardment despite ceasefire news.
The conflict initially erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a large-scale attack into Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages.
Israel’s military response has caused severe casualties and devastation. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry—which counts both combatant and civilian casualties and is considered a reliable source by the UN and various independent observers—over 67,000 Palestinians have died and nearly 170,000 have been injured. Roughly half of the fatalities were women and children. These figures highlight the war’s brutal toll on innocent civilians.
The conflict has also inflamed tensions beyond this immediate theatre, sparking regional fights, global protests, and controversial claims of genocide, a charge Israel strongly denies.
Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces are repositioning within Gaza, and the release of the 48 remaining hostages held by Hamas is expected. Israel believes approximately 20 of these captives are still alive. In return, Israel will free about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, though notable figures such as Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian leader, are excluded from this list. Israel views these high-profile prisoners as terrorists responsible for murders of Israeli civilians and has consistently refused their release.
Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, who led negotiations, announced before the ceasefire that all women and children imprisoned in Israel would be freed soon. He declared, “We announce today our agreement to end the war and the aggression upon our people.”
The actual exchange of hostages and prisoners is anticipated to start as early as Sunday night or Monday, according to Egyptian and Hamas officials privy to the negotiations. All living captives are expected to be freed simultaneously, while the return of deceased hostages’ bodies may take longer.
Five border crossings, including the Rafah crossing connecting Gaza and Egypt, are slated to reopen, facilitating much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, where parts of the population are facing famine. The UN’s top humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, reported that 170,000 metric tons of medical supplies and aid are ready to be delivered once clearance is obtained.
Trump’s proposed plan involves Israel maintaining an open-ended military presence along Gaza’s border, while an international security force—largely consisting of troops from Arab and Muslim nations—would oversee internal security within Gaza.
To support the ceasefire implementation, the U.S. is deploying roughly 200 troops to Israel as part of a broader multinational team. This contingent aims to help monitor the agreement and contribute to a large international reconstruction effort funded globally.
An eventual role for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Gaza’s governance is suggested in the plan, although Netanyahu has long opposed this. The PA itself would need to undertake extensive reforms, a process that could take several years, before assuming such responsibilities.
The plan's vision for a future Palestinian state remains vague, and Netanyahu maintains a firm rejection of this prospect.
This ceasefire and exchange deal opens critical dialogue on the region’s future, but also raises questions worth debating: Can Hamas truly be disarmed without renewed conflict? Will the proposed international forces maintain peace effectively? And how sustainable is peace without addressing the broader political issues? These are the challenges that lie ahead and invite your perspectives—do you believe this ceasefire plan offers a genuine path to lasting peace, or is it merely a fragile pause in a deeper, unresolved conflict?
