2025 Israel–Hamas war ceasefire

Is it possible that an end to the Israel–Hamas war could finally be in sight? On January 15, 2025, a proposed armistice and hostages/prisoners exchange was agreed upon by both sides, with a six-week ceasefire starting immediately. The deal involves releasing all Israeli hostages in Gaza for some Palestinian prisoners, followed by a permanent ceasefire, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and a reconstruction process lasting three to five years. The UN Security Council supported the proposal as Resolution 2735 on June 10, 2024. However, progress was hindered by both sides. Negotiations were mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, with the Biden administration playing a key role in facilitating the deal.

Attempts at the United Nations Security Council in October to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas failed when Israel rejected a proposal due to concerns about hostages being released without its agreement.

A four-day ceasefire was eventually agreed upon after the US presented a plan for hostage release, with Israeli President Netanyahu insisting that any ceasefire would require the return of Israeli hostages taken during the attack. The ceasefire was extended but ultimately broke down due to disagreements over terms.

In December, Egypt proposed a ceasefire plan that included gradual hostage releases and a Palestinian government, which was later revised to remove references to governance. By January, several Israeli commanders expressed support for releasing hostages through diplomacy, with US officials urging further negotiations. Israel proposed a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for support of a Palestinian state.

In discussions, Hamas considered a deal but remained committed to Israeli force withdrawal from Gaza, which Netanyahu rejected. The US, Egypt, and Qatar increased efforts to reach a ceasefire before Ramadan. Negotiations began on March 18, with Israel easing demands, but stalled by March 26.

Biden condemned an April aid convoy attack that killed seven workers, warning of policy changes if Israel doesn’t adhere to his demands. On April 7, Israel withdrew from Khan Yunis, reducing its presence in southern Gaza. According to Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, the withdrawal was intended to reallocate resources towards a planned invasion of Rafah.

In early April 2024, talks on the release of hostages in exchange for a ceasefire appeared stalled over issues such as the duration and permanent nature of the ceasefire. Hamas insisted on a permanent ceasefire but Israel only agreed to a temporary one. A proposal from the CIA was rejected by Hamas.

Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu said ‘The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question.’ He promised to invade Rafah regardless of a deal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken blamed Hamas for not accepting Israel’s proposal and vowed to continue pressure on them to support a ceasefire. Hamas rejected the Israeli proposal but promised to send a delegate to Egypt. Discussions stalled by 5 May over the duration of a ceasefire, with Hamas seeking a permanent one.

On 2 May, Hamas outlined three points of Israel’s proposal that it disagreed with. Talks were hosted in Cairo, attended by Egyptians, Qataris, Hamas, and a US delegation led by CIA director William Burns. Although Hamas sent a delegation to negotiations, Americans don’t directly talk to Hamas, but communicate through intermediaries.

Benjamin Netanyahu decided not to send an Israeli delegation. Previous negotiations failed due to disagreements over the duration of the ceasefire. Egyptians and Qataris proposed a three-phase plan with separate talks for a ‘sustainable calm’ in the second phase. Hamas accepted the proposal on May 5, but would not entertain changes.

Israeli teams left Cairo without an agreement. Biden announced a new proposal from Israel’s war cabinet on May 31, which was nearly identical to the Egyptian-Qatari agreement. The US shared the plan with Hamas through Qatar and issued a joint statement urging Israel and Hamas to finalize an agreement.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s intentions conflict with Israel’s goal of defeating Hamas. Netanyahu stated that a permanent ceasefire is not acceptable as long as Hamas is not defeated militarily. On June 2, an aide to Netanyahu said Israel agreed to Biden’s three-phase ceasefire proposal but reserved it as ‘not a good deal.’

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2735 backing the May 31 proposal on June 10. However, Hamas and Islamic Jihad replied with amendments, including a timeline for troop withdrawals.

Hamas stated its priority is to stop the war on June 21, while Netanyahu said Israel would only accept a partial ceasefire that wouldn’t end the war three days later. Netanyahu announced in July that Israel would not end its occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor, contradicting Biden’s May proposal.

Hamas rejected this demand, calling for Israel to stick to the agreed ceasefire plan. Egypt was opposed to a permanent Israeli occupation of the corridor, which violates the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. Israel’s military operations in Gaza City complicated negotiations, and it was reported that Netanyahu had decided not to want a ceasefire deal several weeks earlier.

In September 2024, US authorities acknowledged they would fail to negotiate a ceasefire before the end of their term, with some officials believing Joe Biden thought Netanyahu didn’t want a ceasefire to help himself and Donald Trump politically. Senior Israeli officials suggested the government seeks Gaza annexation, not hostage deal. US officials believed Sinwar no longer interested in ceasefire, wanting wider regional conflict.

Trump sought ceasefire before inauguration. Netanyahu traveled to Cairo promoting ceasefire. Deal reached with three stages of 42 days each, including release of Israeli hostages and prisoners. Proposal aims for sustainable calm, end of occupation, and siege of Gaza. First stage involves releasing living captives, with Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners and humanitarian aid allowed.

Subsequent stages involve the release of remaining captive bodies and the end of Israel’s blockade. Ceasefire agreement reached on January 17, 2025, with supervision by Egypt, Qatar, UN, and US. The agreement was confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on January 18, set to go into effect on January 19, with a ceasefire at 8:30 am local time.

Hamas failed to release the names of hostages by the deadline, causing Israel to postpone the start of the ceasefire. The delay resulted in Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 13 and injured 30 Palestinians. After releasing three female hostages, the agreement held for Israel’s prisoner release, codenamed ‘Wings of Freedom,’ which included 69 women and 21 children from the West Bank and Jerusalem.

However, despite the ceasefire, there were reports of Palestinian casualties, including a 15-year-old boy killed by Israeli forces in Rafah. Shas ultra-orthodox Jewish party supported a proposed deal between Israel and Hamas after Egypt-Qatar counterproposal was accepted by Hamas in May 2024.

The proposal was opposed by some senators, including Lindsey Graham, but was endorsed by others like Chuck Schumer, Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, expressed skepticism about the deal, while Palestinian officials welcomed the agreement and celebrated its signing.

After Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination, President Biden said it didn’t help the Gaza ceasefire talks. The deal included a ceasefire and hostage exchange with Israel, but some leaders, like Mike Waltz, argued that it would strengthen Hamas. Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated that Israel had no will for a ceasefire after Haniyeh’s assassination.

A video published by Finance Minister Smotrich declared his goal was to fulfill ‘all the goals of the war.’ Netanyahu described the deal as temporary, while President Herzog said it was necessary for hostage return. Protesters gathered outside IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv demanding complete execution of the ceasefire.

Hamas officials thanked pro-Iran militias and countries that supported them, including Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and protesters worldwide. – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed the deal, emphasizing the need for urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza.

– Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described the ceasefire as a ‘start’ of maintaining lasting peace and praised international efforts.

– Saudi Arabia values Qatar, Egypt, and US involvement in reaching the agreement and calls for addressing conflict causes and establishing a Palestinian state.

– The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for the deal, emphasizing its need to end the conflict and allow hostages to return home.

– The US publicly acknowledged the deal’s achievement of a hostage exchange and credited leadership for the ceasefire. Yemen’s Houthi spokesperson stated the Palestinian cause remains a primary issue, citing Israel’s invasion of Gaza as a reason for their support.

Organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and World Health Organization welcomed the ceasefire, while Amnesty International called for increased pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid. But it is not enough and the race is on to save children facing hunger and disease as the shadow of famine looms.

The road ahead remains fraught with challenges, but perhaps a lasting peace can be achieved if both sides are willing to compromise and work towards common goals.