After more than a year of fierce fighting between Israel and Hamas, and months of unsuccessful efforts to broker a ceasefire, the two mediating countries, the United States and Qatar, announced a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages on January 16.
People cheer in Khan Younis, Gaza, on January 15.
Waiting for the agreement to be finalized.
The ceasefire includes provisions for the phased release of hostages and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. It's important to note that the agreement doesn't mean the bombing will immediately cease in Gaza; this depends on the parties' commitment to implementing the agreement in each phase. Israel and Hamas also reached a ceasefire agreement in November 2023, but it quickly collapsed. Looking at the agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, both sides continue to attack each other, accusing the other of violations.
In a new development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that his cabinet would not meet that day to approve the ceasefire agreement as originally planned, citing Hamas's last-minute withdrawal of some terms. Reuters quoted a senior Hamas official as saying that the group is committed to adhering to the ceasefire terms proposed by the mediators. Unless there are last-minute hiccups, the agreement is expected to take effect on January 19.
Houthi forces in Yemen and armed groups in Iraq have announced they will cease attacks on Israel following reports that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
News of the ceasefire has been welcomed by the international community. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was ready to support the implementation of the agreement and expand humanitarian aid. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the ceasefire was an important step toward regional stability. The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the ceasefire would be effectively implemented and would lead to a complete ceasefire in Gaza. As for the US, President Joe Biden and his successor Donald Trump both acknowledged their contributions to the efforts to bring Israel and Hamas to an agreement.
15 months is a long time.
The war in Gaza has significantly impacted the geopolitical landscape in the region. According to the Associated Press, Israel can claim tactical victories after more than a year of fighting with Hamas, including the elimination of high-ranking leaders and a major blow to the armed group. At the same time, Hamas's allies in the region, such as Hezbollah and Iran, have also suffered losses to varying degrees.
However, Israel still has an unfinished goal that it repeatedly emphasized at the beginning of the conflict: the complete defeat of Hamas. Several hostages have also died while held in Gaza, including some who were mistakenly shot by Israeli forces. The ceasefire negotiations have caused divisions within Israel, with some criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu for prioritizing political interests over the desire to bring the hostages home as soon as possible. On the other hand, pursuing a ceasefire has drawn opposition from the far-right coalition, potentially threatening his position.
For Hamas, the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel was retaliation for Tel Aviv's actions in the Palestinian territories. This decision clearly drew the world's attention to the Palestinian issue in the region, but it also left serious damage in Gaza, both in terms of human lives and property. According to Foreign Policy magazine on January 15, Hamas's reasoning for agreeing to the ceasefire is quite clear. The group suffered heavy losses, with Israel claiming 17,000 Hamas fighters were killed, many tunnel systems and infrastructure used by Hamas in the war were destroyed, and Hamas's influence in Gaza diminished due to the immense losses suffered by the people. However, experts believe that as long as Hamas exists, it has the potential to reorganize its forces and restore its influence.
Damage in Gaza after 15 months of fighting.
Gaza's health authorities estimate that over a year of conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 46,000 Palestinians and injuries to over 110,000 others. The UN points out that 90% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, and the ongoing fighting has displaced approximately 1.9 million Palestinians, equivalent to 90% of Gaza's population. Healthcare, education, and food security are pressing issues in Gaza, with over 1.2 million respiratory infections recorded in 2024, more than 870,000 people facing severe food insecurity, and 660,000 school-aged children lacking access to formal education. Even with a ceasefire in effect, rebuilding Gaza remains a daunting task.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hoa-binh-dang-den-with-trung-dong-185250116212001913.htm
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