Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement in Gaza as announced by the United States and Qatar, who acted as mediators. If the Israeli government formally approves the agreement, it will start on 19 January and last for six weeks as an initial phase.
This agreement follows 15 months of violent conflict between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian militant and political organization. The latest clashes began on 7 October 2023 when hundreds of Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel, killing around 1200 people and capturing over 250 hostages, taking them back to Gaza.
Israel responded immediately with airstrikes and later a ground invasion on 27 October. Since then, Israeli forces have carried out attacks on Gaza by air, land, and sea while Hamas has launched rockets into Israel. According to Gaza’s health ministry, managed by Hamas, over 46,700 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in these attacks.
Below is a timeline of the major events leading to the ceasefire:
Key Events in the Conflict and Negotiations
2023
7 October: Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, breaking through the border fence and targeting nearby communities, police stations, and military bases. Around 1,200 people were killed, and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza. Hamas also fired thousands of rockets into Israel. In response, Israel immediately began airstrikes and artillery bombardments on Gaza.
27 October: Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza. This large-scale military operation caused extensive destruction, displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and led to the deaths of over 46,000 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
21 November: A temporary ceasefire was brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. During this week-long truce, Hamas released 105 hostages, while Israel freed 240 Palestinian prisoners. However, the truce fell apart as both sides accused each other of breaking the agreement.
28 December: Negotiations resumed with efforts to reach a new ceasefire and arrange further hostage exchanges.
2024
31 May: U.S. President Joe Biden presented a three-step ceasefire plan tied to the release of hostages held by Hamas. This proposal later became the foundation of the final agreement.
10 June: The United Nations Security Council approved a resolution supporting the ceasefire plan, encouraging further talks between the parties.
31 July: Talks were temporarily halted after Israel carried out an operation in Tehran, killing Hamas political leader and chief negotiator Ismail Haniyeh. Negotiations resumed two weeks later but initially without Hamas’s participation.
17 October: Israeli forces killed Yahya Sinwar, who was the main Hamas leader in southern Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared this a turning point in the conflict.
9 November: Qatar paused its mediation efforts, stating that both sides needed to adjust their positions to make progress. Israel and Hamas blamed each other for the lack of agreement.
20 November: The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that it failed to connect the ceasefire with the release of hostages, a key condition for Israel.
27 November: Israel signed a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, an armed group in Lebanon allied with Hamas, ending a 13-month-long conflict. This development renewed hopes for a similar deal in Gaza.
2 December: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump warned of severe consequences if hostages in Gaza were not freed before he assumed office on 20 January 2025.
17 December: A senior Palestinian official described the ongoing negotiations as being in their “final stage.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that an agreement was closer than ever before.
2025
13 January: During his last week in office, U.S. President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss the near-finalized agreement. The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, expressed optimism, saying a deal was ‘very close’ and could be finalized before Trump’s inauguration.
15 January: Qatar’s prime minister announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The deal included halting the violence in Gaza, providing humanitarian aid to civilians, and reuniting hostages with their families. President Biden praised the agreement, calling it a critical step toward peace.
17 January: After hours of discussions, Israel’s cabinet officially approved the deal despite opposition from two far-right ministers. This decision ensured that the agreement would take effect on 19 January as planned.
The Israel–Hamas ceasefire agreement is a major development after months of intense conflict. The deal, which involves mediation by the United States and Qatar, aims to temporarily end the violence, provide humanitarian relief, and secure the release of hostages. While the situation remains fragile, the truce is a significant step toward addressing the humanitarian crisis and reducing tensions in the region.
