In the early hours of the morning, medics in Gaza reported a grim toll: at least 32 lives extinguished due to a series of Israeli airstrikes that mercilessly rained down on urban areas. This catastrophic episode unfolded just hours before Israel’s cabinet was slated to cast a decisive vote on a proposed ceasefire deal, which many hope might finally bring about a break in the grim hostilities.
Witness accounts paint a harrowing picture, citing significant destruction in neighborhoods stretching from the bustling streets of Nuseirat in central Gaza to the more southern reaches of Rafah. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos, with buildings crumbling under the force of explosions. The Israeli military, for its part, offered no immediate remarks, and so far, there have been no reports of retaliatory assaults by Hamas following the ceasefire announcement.
This escalation occurred a mere day after both Qatar and the United States unveiled a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas. Their aim? To carve out a path toward a more enduring cessation of hostilities in a conflict that has already seen a heartbreaking toll of over 46,000 lives lost since the outbreak of war ignited by Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023.
As Israeli media outlets buzzed with reports, anticipation mounted around the cabinet’s vote this morning. The proposed agreement outlines an initial six-week ceasefire, during which Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from Gaza—a region that has been engulfed in violence and suffering. In a significant move, the cessation of hostilities is interlinked with the release of hostages taken by Hamas, who would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.
Despite the optimistic framework of the agreement, fears linger about the fate of dozens of hostages still held in Gaza. At a press conference in Doha, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani declared that the ceasefire is set to come into effect on Sunday. Ongoing negotiations are focused on implementing the details, he stated, assuring that progress is being made.
“This deal will not only pause the fighting in Gaza but will also provide a vital influx of humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Palestinian population and reunite families after seeing their loved ones held captive for over 15 months,” President Joe Biden emphasized in a statement. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, poised to reclaim office on Monday, took a moment to bask in the glory of this critical diplomatic development.
Yet, it’s worth noting that Israel’s endorsement of this deal remains contingent upon approval from its security cabinet. While many expect the deal to be ratified, the dissenting voices of hardliners within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition may cast a shadow over the process.
In the interim, celebrations erupted in Gaza in response to the announcement of the ceasefire. Streets teemed with people, and spontaneous gatherings ensued as residents honked car horns, waved Palestinian flags, and danced in expressions of immense relief and joy. Among them was Ghada, a mother who had been displaced from her home, her tears mixed with joy as she exclaimed, “I am happy. Yes, I am crying, but those are tears of joy.”
In Tel Aviv, families of hostages echoed this sentiment, expressing overwhelming relief and gratitude at the prospect of seeing their loved ones released. On social media, Hamas hailed the agreement as a significant victory for its people and labeled it a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.
Yet, amid the jubilant scenes, the specter of war remains ever-present. The turmoil has sent ripples across the region, igniting conflicts in various countries including Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. The risk of an all-out regional war involving arch-rivals Israel and Iran looms large.
With 98 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, the first phase of the deal entails releasing 33 of them—focused on women, children, and elderly men. As Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme, highlighted, “A ceasefire is just the beginning. We have food lined up at the borders, waiting to flow into Gaza, but first, we need the green light.”
The global response to the ceasefire announcement has largely been one of optimism, with governments from Egypt to the United Kingdom expressing support for the initiative. However, families of the hostages remain cautious, voicing concerns over the full implementation of the agreement, fearing some loved ones may still be left behind.
As negotiations gear up for the second phase by the sixteenth day of the first phase, expectations rise for further releases of hostages, a more permanent ceasefire, and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Meanwhile, the third phase is set to address the painful realities of loss and the reconstruction of Gaza, an endeavor that will require oversight from Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations, among others.
All the while, a critical question looms: Who will govern Gaza once the dust has settled? The path ahead is fraught with uncertainty, but the yearning for peace resonates deeply among the people caught in the crossfire.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
