Hamas has reached a draft ceasefire agreement for the Gaza Strip conflict, which has been ongoing since October 2023. The plan includes a six-week ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and the release of 33 hostages. However, the deal faces challenges from Israel's refusal, opposition from hard-right leaders, and potential government tensions.
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Hamas has agreed to a draft ceasefire agreement for the Gaza Strip conflict.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip has been ongoing since October 7, 2023. This is the deadliest war for Palestinians in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and has sparked an ongoing Middle Eastern crisis.
On January 15, 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal.
The draft ceasefire deal outlines a three-phase plan:
Phase 1: Lasting for six weeks, it calls for a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of 33 Israeli hostages by Hamas.
Phase 2: This phase would be negotiated during the first one. It involves Hamas releasing remaining hostages, mainly male soldiers, in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli forces would make a “complete withdrawal” from Gaza.
Phase 3: A major reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin, and any final remains of hostages will be returned to their families.
Hamas has made it clear that it will not release the remaining hostages without a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. This demand clashes with Israel’s stance, which has refused to agree to a full withdrawal.
In Israel, hard-right leaders like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich oppose the deal, viewing it as a capitulation to Hamas. Ben-Gvir even threatened to quit the government if the deal was accepted.
Earlier cease-fire efforts failed due to disagreements over Israel's military withdrawal from Gaza and Israel's demand for Hamas' destruction. The new agreement does not settle these issues, which raises concern about the future of the agreement and its potential to resolve the dispute.
The coalition government in Israel is made up of diverse political factions, and could be at risk. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government includes both right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties, and a deal with Hamas could cause tensions within this coalition.
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