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Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal set to begin Jan 19, troop withdrawal and hostage swap confirmed

  • Israel-Hamas ceasefire set for January 19, focusing on hostages exchange, troop withdrawal, and return of displaced Palestinians
  • Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right coalition members; cabinet vote expected to approve first stage of the ceasefire deal
  • Phase one of ceasefire aims to address immediate humanitarian needs, while phase two will target long-term resolution

16 Jan 2025

Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal set to begin Jan 19, troop withdrawal and hostage swap confirmed

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, set to begin on January 19, 2025, marks a potential turning point in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The deal, which was negotiated over several months, is designed to be implemented in phases. The first stage includes the exchange of hostages between Hamas and Israel, with Hamas agreeing to release hostages held in Gaza in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Alongside this, Israeli troops will begin a phased withdrawal from Gaza, and displaced Palestinians will begin returning to their homes, with plans to restore basic services.

The agreement was brokered through intensive diplomatic efforts involving multiple international actors, including the United States. The United States played a central role in facilitating the deal, with both U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration’s Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk, directly involved in the negotiation process. U.S. officials have expressed their commitment to ensuring that the ceasefire holds and that both sides follow through on their commitments.

Internally, the agreement faces significant opposition within Israel, particularly from far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a prominent figure in Israel's Religious Zionism Party, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have openly criticized the ceasefire, arguing that it could weaken Israel’s military achievements and security posture. Ben-Gvir and other right-wing figures have threatened to leave Netanyahu’s coalition if the deal proceeds, putting pressure on the prime minister to reconsider the terms. Despite this opposition, Netanyahu’s coalition has a majority in the cabinet, and it is expected that the first phase of the deal will pass through a vote scheduled for later this week.

The first phase of the deal, once implemented, will focus on the immediate humanitarian concerns, particularly the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Additionally, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza will begin, and efforts to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure, which has been heavily damaged during the conflict, will commence. The return of displaced Palestinians to their homes is expected to be a key part of the first phase, though the scale of this return will depend on the conditions on the ground, including the restoration of basic services like electricity and water.

The second phase of the ceasefire deal, which aims to bring a permanent end to the conflict, will be subject to further negotiations. This phase will include discussions on long-term political solutions, including the status of Gaza, the broader Israeli-Palestinian relationship, and security arrangements for both sides. The international community remains hopeful that the deal could lead to a sustainable peace, though many analysts caution that significant challenges remain in reaching a final resolution.

The approval of the ceasefire deal is a crucial step in addressing the immediate humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but its long-term success will depend on the successful implementation of both phases of the agreement. While the first phase focuses on immediate relief, the second phase will be critical in determining whether a more permanent resolution to the conflict can be achieved. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing negotiations will continue to shape the path forward.

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Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal set to begin Jan 19
Israel-Hamas ceasefire set for January 19, focusing on hostages exchange, troop withdrawal, and return of displaced Palestinians





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