The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect today, Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 11:15 AM Jerusalem time, after a delay of three hours from the scheduled time. This agreement follows a series of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the military escalation that has been ongoing for over 100 days.

Details of the Agreement

The agreement includes several clauses, the most notable of which are:

1. A comprehensive ceasefire between both sides.

2. The release of 33 Israeli hostages out of 98 held in the Gaza Strip, to be done in phases over six weeks.

3. The release of approximately 2000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons in conjunction with the release of the hostages.

4. The opening of humanitarian crossings to facilitate the entry of aid into the besieged Gaza.

The First Phase of Implementation

Hamas announced its commitment to the terms of the agreement, confirming that the delay in delivering the names of the hostages was due to “field and technical reasons.” For its part, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a list of three hostages will be released today, namely:

• Romy Jonin (24 years old)

• Emily Damari (28 years old)

• Doron Shternbar Khair (31 years old)

A gathering of Palestinian female prisoners at Ofer Prison has also begun to start their release after the three Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross in exchange for the release of 90 female prisoners from Israeli jails.

Humanitarian Reactions

The families of the hostages in Tel Aviv expressed mixed feelings, combining joy and anxiety. Efrat Machikawa, a cousin of one of the hostages, described her feelings as “suppressed optimism,” expressing hope for the safe return of her relatives.

The Ongoing Humanitarian Tragedy in Gaza

Despite the ceasefire coming into effect, the Israeli army launched artillery and air strikes on several locations in northern and central Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 11 Palestinians and injuring 25 others. This is part of a series of assaults that have occurred in the sector over the past months.

According to reports, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 46,700 martyrs since the beginning of the aggression in October 2023, while most of the population of the sector, which numbers 2.3 million, has been displaced.

The Humanitarian Scene in the Sector

Local residents described the scenes in Gaza as “terrifying and inhumane.” The bodies of martyrs are still being pulled from the rubble, while surviving families live through the tragedy of losing their loved ones, amid a nearly complete lack of basic services such as water, electricity, and medicine.

Lessons Learned

The agreement is considered a first step towards ending the aggression on Gaza, but it raises questions about its sustainability, especially in light of the fragility of the field and political situations. It also highlights the escalating humanitarian tragedy that requires radical solutions beyond military and political calculations.

In Conclusion

As the world awaits the successful implementation of the agreement, the voices of the victims remain the most authentic in telling the story of the ongoing suffering in Gaza, where reality indicates that what ended today is merely a new chapter in a long-standing conflict.