The Israel-Hamas ceasefire is poised to take effect
Images: Oded Balilty/AP | Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
The Israeli government and leaders of Hamas on Wednesday agreed to a preliminary ceasefire deal, in a step that could mark the beginning of the end for the 15+-month war in Gaza.
The details: The current draft of the deal is divided into three phases.
- The first calls for a 42-day ceasefire to begin this Sunday, during which all Israeli forces will be moved out of buffer zones toward the edges of the Gaza Strip, and Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for the hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
The second and third phases of the ceasefire aren’t guaranteed, and still have to be negotiated during the first.
- According to Israeli and Hamas officials, the second phase is designed around the release of the remaining living hostages and Israeli forces leaving Gaza entirely.
- The third phase would involve exchanging the bodies of all deceased Israeli hostages for some Palestinian prisoners, then carrying out a 3-to-5-year reconstruction plan for Gaza under international supervision.
The current situation: Hamas still holds 94 of the 251 hostages taken in its surprise October 7 attack, according to the Israeli government, which believes at least 34 of them are dead. Israel currently holds close to 10,000 Palestinian prisoners, according to the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.
Looking ahead…Israel delayed a cabinet vote on the ceasefire deal until Friday at the earliest, after PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement. Within Israel, the deal also faces resistance from hard-line politicians who want Israel to stick to its original stated war aim of eliminating Hamas.
- Hamas officials denied Israel’s claims, saying the group remains committed to the agreement.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday said he’s “confident” the ceasefire will begin on Sunday as planned, despite the need to tie up a “loose end” at the last minute.
📊 Flash poll (long-form): What are your thoughts on the preliminary Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal? The most thoughtful and insightful responses will be featured in Monday’s newsletter.
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Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators clarify that Trump now has big shoes to fill as his administration takes over the conflict from Biden, and that he must work tirelessly to turn a ceasefire into a tangible deal that finally ends the bloodshed.
- Others contend that the deal, as good as it may be, has still only come after thousands have died and lost their homes, and that we should not forget those who have suffered in the wake of the temporary relief the ceasefire may bring.
- Biden is getting hostages out of Gaza. Can Trump finally end the war?” –Max Boot, Washington Post
- “The Guardian view on a ceasefire in Gaza: far too late, but desperately needed.” –The Guardian Editorial Board
- “Ben-Gvir Said the Quiet Part Out Loud: Netanyahu Sacrificed Hostages for Personal Interest.”–Haaretz Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that now is not a time to muddy the deal with politics, but to focus on ensuring the safe return of the hostages to their homes and families and keep the ceasefire active.
- Others contend that Hamas still holds much power in the Gaza region even with the deal, and that a final deal must allow Israel to bring a definitive end to all of its operations and dismantle its influence once and for all.
- “The hostage deal is about people, not politics.” –Jerusalem Post Editorial Board
- “Cheer for deal that’ll bring hostages home — and pray Israel is allowed to defeat Hamas once they’re back.” –New York Post Editorial Board
- “Trump and the Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal.” –Wall Street Journal Editorial Board
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