After weeks of intense conflict, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar. The deal includes the staged release of hostages held by both sides, as well as the possibility of a long-term peace agreement. Though cautiously optimistic, many are wary of the fragile truce and the long road ahead to rebuilding.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza , according to Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The agreement, which involves multiple stages, will see hostages taken by Hamas released from Gaza and Palestinian prisoners freed from Israel i jails in the coming weeks. A key part of the deal is the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel .
All but four of the hostages were taken during Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. In November, a week-long truce led to the release of about half the hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinians. Families of hostages have been campaigning to pressure Israel to secure a deal for the release of their loved ones. The discovery of six slain hostages in a Gaza tunnel in August sparked mass protests in Israel. Israeli health ministry estimates suggested the hostages were shot dead 48-72 hours before being found. US President-elect Donald Trump warned there would be 'hell to pay' in the Middle East if the hostages weren't released before his inauguration on January 20. Israeli forces have found the bodies of an Israeli father and son in a tunnel in Gaza. Gaza journalist Shrouq Al Aila believes the ceasefire will follow through under President Trump but has mixed feelings of happiness and fear of accepting the reality. She lives in Australia but has been checking her phone in the middle of the night for updates. Seeing the announcement this morning 'gave (her) a bit of hope' but she said, 'we're still really concerned, and we're not celebrating'. Her family's kibbutz where she was raised and where they lived until October 7, was attacked and 18 were taken hostage. Five of those hostages are still being held, and she is hopeful three will be in the 33 released under the first phase of the deal. Her family wants to return to their kibbutz but says 'this deal at the moment does not provide that security'. 'All we can do is be hopeful and optimistic that this can be a stepping stone to some long-term ceasefire and agreement,' she said
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