This Wednesday, January 15, 2025, a cease-fire agreement was signed between Israel and Hamas, ending more than 15 months of devastating violence in Gaza.
This ceasefire also includes the release of a thousand Palestinian prisoners, and 33 Israeli hostages, as well as essential humanitarian aid for the Gaza population, hard hit by the conflict. After several months of indirect negotiations, the discussions, which have intensified in recent days, have led to this Truce.
The negotiations were supervised by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, and led after several days of intensified discussions.
International reactions to the agreement were varied. Former American president Donald Trump expressed his satisfaction, stressing that this agreement was the fruit of diplomacy led by his administration, which made it possible to bring peace in the region. He also praised the return of Israeli and American hostages home.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described this “key moment for regional stability” agreement and reaffirmed Turkey’s position in favor of a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The UN Secretary General António Guterres also praised this agreement, calling for lasting peace and an inclusive political solution. He insisted on the need for a renewed commitment to the international community to support the reconstruction of Gaza and the reconciliation between the parties.
The Arab League has expressed its support for the Truce, while highlighting the importance of relaunching negotiations for a long -term solution. The spokesman of the European Union, on the other hand, praised the agreement as a step in the right direction, however calling for additional efforts to avoid new climbing.
Since October 7, 2023, attacks by the Israeli occupier have made a number of Palestinian victims constantly increasing, exceeding 46,000 dead. The humanitarian situation remains dramatic, a large part of Gaza has been completely destroyed, and reconstruction costs are estimated at several billion dollars.